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Tongues Untied

  • 1989
  • Not Rated
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Tongues Untied (1989)
On this IMDbrief, we'll download the history of the first movies to raise our collective awareness of HIV/AIDS.
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Documentary

A documentary about the experiences of black homosexual men living in the United States of America.A documentary about the experiences of black homosexual men living in the United States of America.A documentary about the experiences of black homosexual men living in the United States of America.

  • Director
    • Marlon Riggs
  • Writers
    • Joseph Beam
    • Chris Harris
    • Essex Hemphill
  • Stars
    • Marlon Riggs
    • Michael Bell
    • Kerrigan Black
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marlon Riggs
    • Writers
      • Joseph Beam
      • Chris Harris
      • Essex Hemphill
    • Stars
      • Marlon Riggs
      • Michael Bell
      • Kerrigan Black
    • 10User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins

    Videos1

    How Movies and TV Shaped Our Perception of HIV/AIDS
    Clip 4:54
    Watch How Movies and TV Shaped Our Perception of HIV/AIDS

    Photos8

    Tongues Untied (1989)
    Tongues Untied (1989)
    Tongues Untied (1989)
    Best Boy (1979)
    Tongues Untied (1989)
    Tongues Untied (1989)
    Tongues Untied (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlon Riggs
    Marlon Riggs
    • Self
    Michael Bell
    Michael Bell
    • Self
    Kerrigan Black
    • Self - Lavender Lovelights Performer
    Blackberri
    • Self - Lavender Lovelights Performer
    Djola Bernard Branner
    • Self
    • (as Bernard Branner)
    Ben Callet
    • Self
    Gerald Davis
    • Self
    Kenneth R. Dixson
    • Self
    Larry Duckette
    • Self
    Gideon Ferebee
    • Self
    Brian Freeman
    • Self
    Gene Garth
    • Self - Lavender Lovelights Performer
    Essex Hemphill
    • Self - Poetry Performer
    A.J. Honey
    • Self
    Paul Horrey
    • Self
    David Hunter
    • Self
    Wayson Jones
    • Self
    David Barron Kirkland
    • Self
    • Director
      • Marlon Riggs
    • Writers
      • Joseph Beam
      • Chris Harris
      • Essex Hemphill
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.
    • Quotes

      Marlon Riggs: B.G.A. Black Gay Activist. 30-ish, well-read, sensitive, pro-feminist, seeks same for envelope licking, flyer distribution, banner assembly, demonstration companion, dialogical theorizing, good times and hot safe sex. I do not want to wed the movement, do you? End the silence, baby. We could make a serious revolution together.

    • Connections
      Edited from Eddie Murphy: Delirious (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Lover Man
      Performed by Billie Holiday

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews10

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    brother to brother, brother to brother...
    I must admit, this Valentine's Day I have certainly picked unconventional romance movies to watch...

    "Tongues Untied" plays out like a visual poem, featuring monologues and images dealing with black homosexuality, all edited to create a truly powerful portrait to a little discussed subject matter.

    The main thing this film has going for it is its style. As I previously stated, its like a visual poem. Its a rhythmic and emotional odyssey through the lives of these people who, especially in 1989, have been represented very little in the media. At times, it gets a little to SJW and over the top, but their rage is somewhat valid. In the late 80s, being black and gay was much harder than it is in the mid 2010s.
    helpful•7
    1
    • framptonhollis
    • Feb 14, 2017

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Развязанные языки
    • Filming locations
      • Oakland, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Signifyin' Works
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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