Netflix’s biopic of the gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, brings an overlooked key figure out from the shadows
Netflix’s biopic of the charismatic gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin (1912-87), one of the key figures behind the 1963 March on Washington who was severely overlooked is brought out from the shadows.
Director George C. Wolfe brings a fresh perspective to the narrative, while Colman Domingo’s versatile performance adds a thrilling dynamic to the film. The film maintains a snappy pace, mirroring the urgency of Rustin’s life. Interspersed with monochromatic flashbacks, the movie delves into Rustin’s personality and the roots of his determination.
Rustin’s journey for equality, largely conducted behind the scenes, is illuminated by Domingo’s charismatic portrayal. Despite Rustin’s significant contributions, he remains a historical figure often neglected in textbooks. The support of executive producers Barack and Michelle Obama played a crucial role in bringing Rustin’s story to the forefront.
In this fact-based film, there is limited room for creative interpretation. The audience eagerly anticipates pivotal moments in the history of the U.S., such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. However, the film faces challenges in staging these climactic scenes.
We only hear the very end of MLK Jr’s speech, a deliberate choice by Director George C. Wolfe to redirect attention away from the iconic speech and towards the unsung heroes, who constitute the central focus of the film.
In the final scene, a semblance of a Hollywood ending unfolds, with the once marginalized figure, Rustin, being offered a seat at the table. However, he deliberately opts for an alternative path, choosing not to secure a place in the history books. This selfless decision underlines the importance of bringing figures like Rustin to light.
During the post-screening question and answer session, Wolfe candidly admits to his obsession with Rustin’s story and role in the March for Freedom, dating back to his work on “Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom”.
Colman Domingo emphasises a pivotal scene in the film, occurring immediately after the prologue, wherein Rustin emerges from the shadows. Domingo asserts, “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do. Pull him out of the shadows of history and put him in marble so that people can go research more and find more about him and others who were a part of this process”.
Rustin is on Netflix, available to watch now!