10 Pride docs that inspire director Julie Cohen
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- DirectorRob EpsteinStarsHarvey FiersteinHarvey MilkAnne KronenbergA documentary of the successful career and assassination of San Francisco's first elected gay city supervisor."Nearly four decades after its release, this stunning documentary about the life and death of San Franciso's first openly gay supervisor could be used in film schools to show how you tell a compelling non-fiction story. Rob Epstein’s meticulous research is apparent throughout. BONUS: Watch the Sean Penn's genius performance in MILK, the narrative version of this story."
- DirectorLisa CortesStarsLittle RichardRalph HarperNewt CollierThe life and career of Little Richard, the one-of-a-kind rock 'n' roll icon who shaped the world of music."As the film explores so brilliantly, Little Richard struggled his whole life with whether to embrace his queer identity. But Lisa Cortes' thoughtful, joyous doc is a must see for anyone who wants to understand the true Black and queer roots of rock n roll. One single sequence alone is worth the price of admission: hearing the original crazy-racy lyrics to "Tutti Frutti" juxtaposed with Pat Boone's hilariously bland version of the same song."
- DirectorSam FederStarsLaverne CoxBianca LeighJen RichardsAn in-depth look at Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact of those stories on transgender lives and American culture."The style is simple, but the impact is deep. Thoughtful trans artists and intellectuals like Mj Rodriquez, Chaz Bono and Chase Strangio lead a painful, complicated sometimes hilarious examination of trans representation on screen, with clips interwoven. By the end you'll want to thank director Sam Feder for helping you see a chunk of popular entertainment in a new light."
- DirectorSandi Simcha DubowskiStarsShlomo AshkinazySteve GreenbergNathan Lopes CardozoA cinematic portrait of various gay Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their faith and their sexual orientation."'I don't want to be a 'less than' Jew because I’m gay,' a young man says early in this searing and tender doc from Sandi Dubowski about the struggles of gay and lesbian orthodox Jews. Later the man explains how he took a rabbi's advice to eat figs and recite psalms in an effort to turn himself straight (spoiler alert: it didn't work). This visually innovative 2001 doc will stoke your empathy at every turn."
- DirectorJennie LivingstonStarsBrooke XtravaganzaAndré ChristianDorian CoreyA chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality."A classic of the verité form, Jennie Livingston's revelatory look at New York City’s drag balls was many viewers' introduction not only to a slice of Black and Latinx LGBTQIA+ culture, but also to theatrical documentaries. Even 33 years later, the dancers stay etched in our minds. BONUS: The narrative series "Pose," set in the same world, is essential viewing for anyone who cares about storytelling."
- DirectorRoger Ross WilliamsAn account of the American Evangelicals' attempts to indoctrinate their Christian Right beliefs in Uganda."Roger Ross Williams' eye-opening exploration of the role played by American evangelicals in Uganda's campaign against its gay citizens packs a strong punch. This one merits a re-watch now that Uganda's president has signed a law that includes a 20 year prison sentence for "promoting homosexuality" and the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality."
- DirectorJonas Poher RasmussenStarsDaniel KarimyarFardin MijdzadehMilad EskandariFLEE tells the extraordinary true story of a man, Amin, on the verge of marriage which compels him to reveal his hidden past for the first time."This gorgeous-in-every-sense animated documentary by Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells the story of a young Afghan refugee named Amin. Amin’s gay identity isn’t the primary focus of the narrative, but it brings some of the film’s most emotional moments. There’s a scene involving Amin’s siblings and a Swedish nightclub that made me cry so hard I had to pause, rewind, and watch again"
- DirectorRyan WhiteStarsJudy Goffman CutlerJennifer A. GreenhillNeil Patrick HarrisFollows the illustrator J.C. Leyendecker, whose legacy laid the foundation for today's out-and-proud LGBTQ advertisements."Ryan White’s animated doc uncovers a little-known historical gem: the story of a closeted artist whose none to subtle gay imagery found its way into some of the most popular ads of the early 20th Century. This tightly packed tale is insightful, lovely to look at, and often very, very funny. "
- DirectorKimberly ReedStarsKimberly ReedCarol McKerrowMarc McKerrowFilmmaker Kimberly Reed returns home for her high school reunion, ready to reintroduce herself to the small town as a transgender woman and hoping for reconciliation with her long estranged adopted brother Marc."This brave, multi-layered memoir film from Kimberly Reed has surprising twists and turns. This one will break your heart sometimes, but you come away grateful that Reed has crafted the story so beautifully and entrusted us to consider it in all its complexity."
- DirectorKristine StolakisStarsYvette Cantu SchneiderMichael BusseeJohn PaulkFormer leaders of the "pray the gay away" movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma."A piece of gay history - or really anti-gay history - you won’t soon forget. Kristine Stolakis does a terrific job prompting survivors of so called conversion therapy to share their stories on camera. The archival footage ranges from amusing to harrowing."