Rustin (film)

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, 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.

For the 2001 American comedy-drama film, see Rick Johnson (quarterback).
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
company
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 premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2023. It is scheduled to be released in select theaters on November 3, 2023, before its streaming release on November 17, 2023, by Netflix.

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.[6] In October 2021, Colman Domingo was cast as Rustin. Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, and Audra McDonald also joined the cast.[7] 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.[3] Production began in November 2021 in Pittsburgh.[8][9] 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.[5]

Upon the announcement of Colman Domingo being cast in the lead role, the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, an LGBTQIA safe-space, community activist center voiced their approval directly to Domingo, espousing that "Your powerful voice helps amplify Bayard Rustin, Godfather of Intersectionality, Planned the March, Brought non-violence to the Movement, Inspired the Freedom Riders, Lost to history because of who he loved, Who he was. Angelic Troublemakers unite!"[10]

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.[11]

Release

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

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 37 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.[17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[18]

Accolades

The film will receive the Icon & Creator Tribute for Social Justice at the 2023 Gotham Awards.[19]

See also

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 (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.
  4. Dilillo, John (August 27, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About 'Rustin'". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. "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.
  9. "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.
  10. "Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Audra McDonald, Glynn Turman All Tapped for Upcoming Bayard Rustin Biopic". The Root. October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. "Rustin". TIFF. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. "Rustin". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  18. "Rustin". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  19. Pedersen, Erik (September 14, 2023). "Gothams Get Awards Season Rolling: Rustin Set as Its First Honoree". Deadline. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
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