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Stonewall Outloud
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Highly original, affecting docu about iconic LGBTQ uprising.
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Stonewall Outloud
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What's the Story?
For the 50th anniversary of a seminal moment in LGBTQ history, STONEWALL OUTLOUD describes, comments upon, and recreates events before, during, and after the 1969 riots at The Stonewall Inn in New York City. On June 28, 1969, members of the gay, lesbian, and transgender community were being arrested en masse by the NYPD, headed by Seymour Pine, commander of its Public Morals Squad. Taken from the Stonewall bar by force, they resisted for the first time. Violence erupted. Using extensive archival footage, interviews with contemporary actors and activists from then and now, and very significantly, lip-synced audio interviews recorded in 1989 for Public Radio production of "Remembering Stonewall," the filmmaking team brings the repressive conditions and ultimately violent period to life. Some of the folks interviewed by StoryCorps' Dave Isay for the radio program are still alive and appear on screen; their participation is exceptionally poignant.
Is It Any Good?
Directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have met their goal, utilizing heartfelt testimony and inventive, thoughtful film techniques to deliver a remarkable and moving cinematic experience. Using current activists and personalities to lip-sync 30-year-old radio interviews must have been a risky undertaking, but it works. The on-camera "speakers" hold photographs of the real folks as they "talk." It's done with precision and sensitivity. Additionally, the film team makes the most of brief recreations of events that don't detract from the tale they are telling. A highlight of Stonewall Outloud is Daniel Franzese's compelling performance as he lip-syncs the testimony of Seymour Pine, the police officer in charge. While all of the performers are excellent, the real-life participants interviewed -- Randy Wicker, "Tree," Martin Boyce -- bring special sensitivity to what was for each of them a life-changing moment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the filmmakers' decision to use current actors and personalities to lip-sync the voices of actual participants in the Stonewall Riots. What was the impact of hearing the words of those actually involved? Were those moments enriched by seeing photographs of the people who were speaking?
Documentary films are made to entertain, inform, inspire, and/or persuade. Which category(ies) best describes Stonewall Outloud? Why?
A voice in the film states: "That night, we found our place in history -- not as jokes, not as case studies, not as freaks, but as people." Based upon your knowledge and awareness of LGBTQ life today, what can you point to as evidence that the statement is true? Do you think that the community's struggle is over? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 28, 2019
- Cast: RuPaul Charles , Connor Franta , Rava , Lance Bass , Daniel Franzese
- Directors: Fenton Bailey , Randy Barbato
- Inclusion Information: Gay actors
- Studios: World of Wonder Productions , YouTube Originals
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism
- Character Strengths: Communication , Courage , Gratitude , Perseverance
- Run time: 32 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 6, 2023
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