Rustin
The March on Washington, attended by nearly 300,000 people, was a significant moment in American history in which Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Rustin aims to correct the historical oversight about Bayard Rustin’s role in organizing the march by shedding light on his dynamic with Dr. King and his fellow activists before the event.
The film, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground, explores Bayard’s personal relationships, professional challenges and the discrimination he faced due to his sexuality and outspoken political views. While Rustin draws attention to this overlooked chapter of black queer history, he fails to fully capture the power of the material and the performances of the talented cast.
This echoes a similar limitation seen in George C. Wolfe’s previous film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which also focused on an underexposed black queer icon. Both films highlight a struggle to effectively convey and cinematically reimagine historical narratives.
“Rustin” is a film that was released in 2023 and tells the true story of Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist. The film, directed by George C. Wolfe and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s company, Higher Ground, stars Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin. It’s about how Rustin helped organize the 1963 March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2023 and then screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. After a limited theatrical release on November 3, 2023, it became available for streaming on Netflix starting November 17, 2023.
Is Rustin based on a true story?
Yes, “Rustin” is based on a true story. The film tells the real-life story of Bayard Rustin, a key figure in the civil rights movement. Rustin played a vital role in organizing the historic 1963 March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King Jr. His commitment to justice and equality spanned several social and political causes, including racial equality, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights.
Shaped by his Quaker upbringing and influenced by his grandparents, Rustin adhered to the principles of nonviolent resistance, much like Mahatma Gandhi. His activism began in the 1930s, but gained momentum in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly as an advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin’s significant contribution came in 1963, when he organized the March on Washington, a pivotal event in the civil rights era that attracted millions of people. and influenced important laws.
Despite his political success, Rustin faced personal struggles. As an openly gay black man in an era marked by homophobia and racism, he faced discrimination and marginalization, which affected his public image and his role in the civil rights movement.
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Who is Bayard Rustin?
Bayard Rustin, born March 17, 1912, and died August 24, 1987, was an African-American leader involved in several social movements, including civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights.
In the early 1940s, Rustin worked with A. Philip Randolph in the March on Washington Movement, advocating against racial discrimination in employment. He played a key role in organizing the Freedom Rides and supported the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., teaching him about nonviolence. Rustin also organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Throughout his life, Rustin collaborated with figures such as Ella Baker and worked on humanitarian missions, helping refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia. He served as director of the A. Philip Randolph Institute of the AFL-CIO, promoting union integration.
Rustin, who was gay, faced criticism for his sexuality, but continued to influence civil rights leaders behind the scenes. In the 1980s, he became a public advocate for homosexual causes and human rights. Despite criticism over time, he received recognition and was posthumously praised by President Ronald Reagan. On November 20, 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Rustin Release Date
“Rustin” was first screened at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. It was also subsequently shown at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2023. The film was released in select theaters on November 3, 2023 and then became available for everyone to watch on Netflix starting November 17, 2023.
Rustin’s cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Colman Domingo | Bayard Rustin |
| Chris Rock | Roy Wilkins |
| Glynn Turman | A. Philip Randolph |
| Aml Ameen | Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Pound CCH | Anna Arnold Hedgeman |
| Michael Potts | cleveland robinson |
| Jeffrey Wright | Adam Clayton Powell Jr. |
| Alicia McDonald | Ella Baker |
| Da’Vine Joy Randolph | Mahalia Jackson |
| Bill Irwin | AJ Muste |
| Gus Halper | Thomas |
| Johnny Ramey | Elijah |
| Lilia Kay | Raquel |
| Jordan-Amanda Hall | charlene |
| Jake Powell | norma hill |
| Grantham Coleman | Blyden |
| Jamilah Rosemond | Dorie Ladner |
| Julio Latimer | Joyce Ladner |
| Maxwell Whittington-Cooper | Juan Luis |
| franco harts | James Farmer |
| Kevin Mambo | young whitney |
| Cotter Smith | boss wells |
| Carra Patterson | Coretta Scott Rey |
| Adriana Warren | claudia taylor |
| Worker Ayana | Eleanor Holmes |
Rustin Plot
Set in 1960s America, during the height of civil rights activism, director George C. Wolfe tells a compelling story in the biographical drama film “Rustin.” With an exceptional cast and a gripping plot, this cinematic masterpiece explores the life of Bayard Rustin, a pioneering gay civil rights activist whose impact resonates throughout history.
Rustin Review
Rustin, directed by George C. Wolfe, is a historical drama about openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. The film is widely criticized, described as terrible, scattered and unpleasant in almost every aspect, except for Colman Domingo’s outstanding performance as Bayard Rustin. Domingo’s work is praised for elevating the film to “watchable” status.
The comparison is based on the significant disparity between the film’s overall quality and standout performance, reminiscent of the gap seen in the 2011 Oscar-nominated film Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Rustin is characterized as fitting into the “Oscar bait” category, a mid-budget Hollywood drama that aspires to awards but falls short of overall quality.
The film’s attempt to capture the magnitude of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is criticized for its scattered narrative, head-scratching dramatic structure, and inability to convey the magnitude of the event.
Rustin Where to watch
Rustin is available to stream on Netflix. New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared November 3, the film’s theatrical release date, as Bayard Rustin Day. This year, 2023, marks the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington.
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