Rustin
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGeorge C. Wolfe
Screenplay by
Story byJulian Breece
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTobias A. Schliessler
Edited byAndrew Mondshein
Music byBranford Marsalis
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • August 31, 2023 (2023-08-31) (Telluride)
  • November 3, 2023 (2023-11-03) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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 Breece about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.[2] 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, 2023. It was released in select theaters on November 3, 2023, before its streaming release on November 17, 2023, by Netflix.

Plot

The film tells the story of the charismatic, gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Despite incredible odds, he managed to organize the March on Washington in 1963. This event is considered one of the high points of the civil rights movement in the United States. Over 200,000 people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. and called for an end to racial discrimination in the USA. Martin Luther King gave his famous I Have a Dream speech at the event.

Cast

Production

In February 2021, it was reported that George C. Wolfe would direct a film based on the life of Bayard Rustin from a script by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black.[3] In October 2021, Colman Domingo was cast as Rustin. Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, and Audra McDonald also joined the cast.[4] 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.[5] Production began in November 2021 in Pittsburgh.[6][7] 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.[8] Principal photography ended in Washington, D.C. in August, 2022. [9]

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.[10]

Music

Release

Rustin premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023.[11] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2023.[12][13] 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.[14][15] The film was released in select theaters on November 3, 2023 and premiere worldwide on Netflix on November 17.[16][17]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 155 critics' 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."[18] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[19]

Dustin Guastela of Jacobin criticized the film for caricaturing Rustin's political views: "Rustin claims the civil rights hero has been forgotten because of his sexuality. But it was his fiery and provocative class politics that makes him both controversial and prophetic today."[20]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
The Queerties February 28, 2023 Next Big Thing Rustin Nominated [21]
Hamptons International Film Festival October 12, 2023 The Sherzum Award Won [22]
Heartland International Film Festival October 15, 2023 Audience Choice Award – Narrative Special Presentation Won [23]
Mill Valley Film Festival October 16, 2023 Directing George C. Wolfe Won [24]
Audience Award – U.S. Cinema Rustin Won
Chicago International Film Festival October 22, 2023 Gold Q-Hugo Nominated [25]
Philadelphia Film Festival October 29, 2023 Audience Award – Narrative Feature Won [26]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 15, 2023 Original Score — Feature Film Branford Marsalis Nominated [27]
[28]
Original Song — Feature Film Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Nominated
Gotham Independent Film Awards November 27, 2023 Icon & Creator Tribute for Social Justice Rustin Won [29]
Celebration of Cinema & Television December 4, 2023 Actor Award (Film) Colman Domingo Won [30]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 10, 2023 Best Actor Nominated [31]
Women Film Critics Circle Awards December 18, 2023 Best Actor Nominated [32]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association December 18, 2023 Best Actor 5th place[lower-alpha 1] [33]
San Diego Film Critics Society December 19, 2023 Best Actor Nominated [34]
Capri Hollywood International Film Festival January 2, 2024 Best Actor Won [35]
[36]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards January 5, 2024 Best Actor Nominated [37]
[38]
Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards January 6, 2024 Best Actor Nominated [39]
Golden Globe Awards January 7, 2024 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated [40]
Best Original Song Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 14, 2024 Best Actor Colman Domingo Nominated [41]
Best Song Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Nominated
Black Reel Awards January 16, 2024 Outstanding Film Bruce Cohen, Tonia Davis & George C. Wolfe Nominated [42]
Outstanding Lead Performance Colman Domingo Nominated
Outstanding Screenplay Julian Breece & Dustin Lance Black Nominated
Outstanding Ensemble Cherelle Cargill & Avy Kaufman Nominated
Outstanding Score Brandford Marsalias Nominated
Outstanding Soundtrack Rustin Nominated
Outstanding Original Song Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design Toni-Leslie James Nominated
Outstanding Production Design Mark Ricker Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyle and Make-up Melissa Forney & Beverly Jo Pryor Nominated
Society of Composers & Lyricists February 13, 2024 Outstanding Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Pending [43]
Satellite Awards February 18, 2024 Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Colman Domingo Pending [44]
Best Original Song Lenny Kravitz ("Road to Freedom") Pending
Screen Actors Guild Awards February 24, 2024 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Colman Domingo Pending [45]

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "Rustin (15)". British Board of Film Classification. August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (February 11, 2021). "George C. Wolfe to Direct Bayard Rustin Movie for Obama's Higher Ground, Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ Grobar, Matt (January 18, 2023). "Netflix 2023 Film Slate Unveiled: 'Luther: The Fallen Sun', 'The Mother', 'Extraction 2', 'Heart Of Stone,' 'The Killer', 'Rebel Moon' & Others Get Premiere Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 5, 2021). "Colman Domingo to Star in Bayard Rustin Biopic, the First Narrative Feature From Obamas' Higher Ground (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 18, 2021). "'Rustin': Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, Bill Irwin, Da'Vine Joy Randolph & More Board Biopic From Netflix & Obama's Higher Ground". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Everything we know so far about 'Rustin' and its Pittsburgh production". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Netflix movie filming in Downtown Pittsburgh, road closures announced". WTAE-TV. November 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  8. ↑ Kroll, Justin (December 16, 2021). "Jeffrey Wright And Grantham Coleman Among Those Rounding Cast For 'Rustin'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ Cremen, Alanea (August 8, 2022). "Here's Why You Might See Chris Rock in DC". WUSA9. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  10. ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (August 17, 2023). "Lenny Kravitz Writes and Records New Song 'Road to Freedom' for George C. Wolfe's Film 'Rustin' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  11. ↑ Davis, Clayton (August 30, 2023). "Telluride Lineup Includes World Premieres of 'Saltburn,' 'The Bikeriders' and 'Rustin' With Tributes for Yorgos Lanthimos and Wim Wenders". Variety. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 24, 2023). "TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders Dumb Money, The Holdovers, Rustin; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More". Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Rustin". TIFF. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  14. ↑ Penrice, Ronda Racha (November 11, 2023). "Former President Obama Celebrates the End of Hollywood's Historic Strikes During Surprise Appearance at 'Rustin' Screening". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  15. ↑ Kassahun, Thomas (November 11, 2023). "The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News". Blavity News & Politics. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  16. ↑ Volou, Khalida (August 8, 2022). "'Rustin' an upcoming Netflix movie begins filming in DC. Expect these road closures". WJLA-TV. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ Murphy, Chris (July 18, 2023). "'Rustin' First Look: Colman Domingo Is Bayard Rustin, the Man Who Turned MLK's Dream Into a Reality". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Rustin". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Rustin". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ Guastela, Dustin. "Rustin the Liberal Biopic Versus Rustin the Labor Activist". Jacobin. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ Kreidler, Marc. "Vote for the 2023 Queerties Winners". Queerty. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  22. ↑ "HIFF31: Awards". Hamptons International Film Festival. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  23. ↑ "32nd Heartland International Film Festival Announces Winners & Presents $60,000 in cash prizes". heartlandfilm.prowly.com. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  24. ↑ Anderson, Erik (October 17, 2023). "'American Fiction,' 'Rustin,' 'The Taste of Things,' 'Radical' Win 46th Mill Valley Film Festival Audience Awards". AwardsWatch. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Rustin". Cinema Chicago. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  26. ↑ Bogg, Smalley (November 1, 2023). "Winners of the Philadelphia Film Festival Awards". phindie. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  27. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Songs From 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  28. ↑ "2023 HMMA WINNERS AND NOMINEES". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  29. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (September 14, 2023). "Gothams Get Awards Season Rolling: 'Rustin' Set As Its First Honoree". Deadline. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  30. ↑ "The Critics Choice Association Announces Honorees for the Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements – Critics Choice Awards". Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  31. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 9, 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 18, 2023). "Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC): Barbie, Nyad, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives Win Big". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  33. ↑ Jorgenson, Todd (December 18, 2023). "DFW Film Critics Name The Holdovers Best Picture of 2023". Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  34. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 15, 2023). "San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  35. ↑ "OPPENHEIMER DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN TO BE HONORED WITH THE "CAPRI BEST ENSEMBLE CAST AWARD 2023"" (Press release). Capri Hollywood International Film Festival. December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  36. ↑ "A Capri trionfa Oppenheimer con 7 Awards, poi Barbie e Maestro". Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (in Italian). January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  37. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 29, 2023). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  38. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 5, 2024). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  39. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 7, 2023). "'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  40. ↑ Shanfeld, Ethan (December 11, 2023). "Golden Globes 2024: Full Nominations List (Updating Live)". Variety. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  41. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (December 13, 2023). "2024 Critics Choice Awards film nominations: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  42. ↑ Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2023). "Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'The Color Purple' And 'Rustin' Dominate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  43. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2023). "The 2023 Society Of Composers And Lyricists (SCL) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  44. ↑ "IPA Reveals Nominations for the 28th Satellite™ Awards". International Press Academy. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
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