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Tongues Untied

"Black Men Loving Black Men"

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Top Cast

  • Marlon Riggs

    Marlon Riggs

    Self

  • Essex Hemphill

    Essex Hemphill

    Self - Poetry Performance

  • Brian Freeman

    Brian Freeman

    Self

  • Michael Bell

    Michael Bell

    Self

  • Willi Ninja

    Willi Ninja

    Self

  • Kerrigan Black

    Kerrigan Black

    Self

  • Blackberri

    Blackberri

    Self

  • Djola Bernard Branner

    Djola Bernard Branner

    Self

  • Eddie Murphy

    Eddie Murphy

    Self (archive footage)

Overview

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Trailers & Clips

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