Rustin

Rustin is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by George C. Wolfe, from a screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, and a story by the former about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground, the film stars Colman Domingo in the title role, alongside Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald. It is based on the true story of Rustin, who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington.
Rustin premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13. It was released in select theaters on November 3, 2023 before its streaming release on November 17, two weeks later, by Netflix, to positive reception.
== Synopsis ==
The architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten.
== Cast ==
* Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin
* Aml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr.
* Glynn Turman as A. Philip Randolph
* Chris Rock as Roy Wilkins
* Gus Halper as Tom Kahn
* Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor
* CCH Pounder as Dr. Anna Hedgeman
* Michael Potts as Cleve Robinson
* Audra McDonald as Ella Baker
* Jeffrey Wright as Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
* Lilli Kay as Rachelle
* Jordan-Amanda Hall as Charlene
* Jakeem Powell as Norm
* Ayana Workman as Eleanor Holmes
* Grantham Coleman as Blyden
* Jamilah Rosemond as Dorie Ladner
* Jules Latimer as Joyce Ladner
* Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as John Lewis
* Frank Harts as Jim Farmer
* Kevin Mambo as Whitney Young
* Carra Patterson as Coretta Scott King
* Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Mahalia Jackson
* Adrienne Warren as Claudia Taylor
* Bill Irwin as A. J. Muste
* Jamar Williams as Tyrone
* Hope Clarke as Lucille Randolph
* Rashad Demond Edwards as Medgar Evers
* Cotter Smith as Chief Wells
* Drayton Walker as Little Stevie Wonder
* Robert M. Pflegardt as Joachim Prinz
* Christopher Anglim as Eugene Carson Blake
* Devin Doolan as Walter Reuther
* Marlon Bradley Ray as Floyd McKissick
== Production ==
In February 2021, it was reported that George C. Wolfe would direct a film based on the life of Bayard Rustin from a screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black. In October 2021, Colman Domingo was cast as Rustin. Chris Rock, Glynn Turman and Audra McDonald also joined the cast. Later that month, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, Bill Irwin, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Gus Halper, Johnny Ramey, Carra Patterson, and Adrienne Warren joined the cast. Production began in November 2021 in Pittsburgh. In December 2021, Jeffrey Wright, Grantham Coleman, Lilli Kay, Jordan-Amanda Hall, Jakeem Dante Powell, Ayana Workman, Jamilah Nadege Rosemond, Jules Latimer, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, Frank Harts and Kevin Mambo joined the cast.
Lenny Kravitz wrote and performed an original song, "Road to Freedom," for the film. On approaching Kravitz for writing a song for the film, Wolfe said, "The one note I gave him was the song needed to help deliver us as an audience, from feeling to action. And trombones. I begged for trombones." Wolfe became fascinated with trombones after filming Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020), and Trombone Shorty was brought on board to contribute to the song.
== Release ==
Rustin premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2023. Michelle and Barack Obama introduced the film at the opening night of the HBCU First Look Film Festival at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The film was released in select theaters on November 3, 2023 and later premiered worldwide on Netflix on November 17, two weeks later.
== Reception ==
Rustin received positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 150 critics' aggregated reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Colman Domingo is sensational in Rustin, a stirring biopic that shines an overdue light on a remarkable legacy of public service." Metacritic assigned the film an average score of 68 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
== Videos ==
RUSTIN - Official Teaser Trailer - Netflix
RUSTIN - Official Trailer - Netflix
Category:American films
Category:2023 films
Category:2023 in film
Category:2023 American films
Category:2020s films
Category:2020s American films
[[Category:Higher Ground films
Category:Netflix original films
Category:Netflix films
Category:English-language films
Category:Drama films
Category:American drama films
Category:2023 drama films
Category:2023 American drama films
Category:2020s drama films
Category:2020s American drama films
Category:Biographical films
Category:American biographical films
Category:2023 biographical films
Category:2023 American biographical films
Category:2020s biographical films
Category:2020s American biographical films
Category:Films directed by George C. Wolfe
Category:Films set in the 1960s
Category:Films shot in Pennsylvania
Category:Political films
Category:LGBT-related films
Category:LGBT-related drama films
Category:Films starring Colman Domingo
Category:Films starring Chris Rock
Category:Films starring Glynn Turman
Category:Films starring CCH Pounder
Category:Films starring Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Category:Films Starring Michael Potts
Category:Films starring Jeffrey Wright
Category:Films starring Audra McDonald
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