Brother to Brotheris a 2004 film written and directed byRodney Evans.The film debuted at the 2004Sundance Film Festival,where it was awarded with theSpecial Jury Prize for Dramatic Feature.It went on to play the gay and lesbianfilm festivalcircuit where it collected many top festival awards.Brother to Brotherwas given alimited theatrical releasein November 2004.
| Brother to Brother | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rodney Evans |
| Written by | Rodney Evans |
| Produced by | Rodney Evans Jim McKay Isen Robbins Aimee Schoof |
| Starring | Anthony Mackie Roger Robinson Duane Boutte |
| Cinematography | Harlan Bosma gian |
| Edited by | Sabine Hoffmann |
| Music by | Barney McAll Marc Anthony Thompson Dave Warrin |
| Distributed by | Wolfe Releasing[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $80,906[2] |
Plot
editBlack art student Perry lives in the college dormitory atColumbia Universityafter his homophobic parents kick him out of home when they discover he is gay. He is romantically pursued by another student, but his prospective boyfriend, who is white, says something he considers racist, so he ends the relationship. At a social loose end, Perry befriends an elderly, impoverished man namedBruce,whom he discovers was an important figure in theHarlem Renaissance.Through recalling his friendships with other important Harlem Renaissance figuresLangston Hughes,Aaron Douglas,Wallace Thurman,andZora Neale Hurston,Bruce chronicles some of the challenges he faced as a young, Black gay writer in the 1920s. Perry discovers that the challenges ofhomophobiaandracismhe faces in the early 21st century closely parallel Bruce's.
Cast
edit- Anthony Mackieas Perry
- Roger RobinsonasBruce
- Duane Boutteas young Bruce (as Duane Boutté)
- Alex Burns as Jim
- Ryan Michelle Batheas Classroom Girl #2
- Lawrence Gilliard Jr.as Marcus (as Larry Gilliard Jr.)
- Oni Faida Lampley as Evelyn
- James Martinezas Julio, Perry's boyfriend in flashbacks
- Daniel SunjataasLangston Hughes
- Ray Ford asWallace Thurman
- Lance ReddickasJames Baldwin
- Chad L. Colemanas El (as Chad Coleman)
- Leith M. Burke asAaron Douglas
- Aunjanue EllisasZora Neale Hurston
- Richard Bekinsas Carl
- Bradley Coleas MacAllister, book publisher
- Lizan Mitchellas protesting woman
- Tom Wigginas Mr. Lewis
- Michael Duvertas attacker #2
- Tracie Thomsas mom on subway
- Curtis McClarinas Black man on subway (as Curtis L. McClarin)
- Michael Mosleyas white man #1 on subway
Production
editThe film was inspired by a 1991 anthology titledBrother to Brother: New Writing by Black Gay Men.The editing of the book was started byJoseph Beamand, when he died in 1988, finished byEssex Hemphill.Director Rodney Evans chose the title for his film. His screenplay for the film was the recipient of The Independent Feature Project's Gordon Parks Award for Screenwriting.[3]He also received funding from The Jerome Foundation, theRockefeller FoundationandITVSfor the production of the film.[4]
In an interview after the film's release, Evans said: "I thought of the film as a cinematic corollary to that book, which looked at Black gay life from different perspectives. I thought the piece was about relationships between Black men; the relationships were not necessarily sexual and the men were not necessarily gay."[5]
Reception
editThe film received positive reviews from critics, who applauded its handling of themes of queer community and racial turmoil and fetishization. AtNPR,Allison Keyes wrote that "the voices of gay activists were often silenced during thecivil rights movementand, before that, the Harlem Renaissance "and"Brother to Brotherexamines this silence. "[6]
In a positive review,Ty BurrofThe Boston Globewrote, "The larger context -- of whether the African-American struggle can include black homosexuality as part of its rebellion and one of its voices without having a meltdown -- is put across with admirable finesse. It isn't merely nice that Perry can take strength from a survivor like Nugent. As this promising film insists, it's necessary."[7]
Michael D. Klemm wrote inCinema Queerthat the film is "a revelation," "beautifully acted and directed" and "almost overflows with ideas".[8]
On review aggregate siteRotten Tomatoes,Brother to Brotherhas an approval rating of 76% based on 45 critics' reviews. The site's critics consensus states: "Led by two fine lead performances,Brother to Brotheris a moving and thought-provoking dramatization of the Harlem Renaissance. "[9]
Awards and nominations
edit- Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor:Anthony Mackie - nominated;Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Director:Rodney Evans - nominated (2004)
- Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Jury Award best Fiction Feature - winner (2004)[10]
- New York Lesbian and Gay Film FestivalVanguard Award - winner (2004)[11]
- Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival,Jury Award for Best Feature Film - winner (2004)[12]
- OutfestGrand Jury Award, Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film: Roger Robinson - winner; Outstanding American Narrative Feature - winner (2004)[11]
- San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film FestivalAudience Award Best Feature - winner (2004)[12]
- Sundance Film FestivalSpecial Jury Prize, Dramatic - winner; Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic - nominated (2004)[13]
- GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding Film Limited Release - nominated (2005)[14]
- Glitter Awards Best Feature Indie Gay Film - winner (2005)
- Independent Spirit AwardsBest Debut Performance: Anthony Mackie - nominated; Best Supporting Male: Roger Robinson - nominated; Best First Screenplay: Rodney Evans - nominated; Best First Feature - nominated (2005)[15]
Home media
editBrother to Brotherwas released on Region 1DVDon June 14, 2004.[4]
References
edit- ^Hernandez, Eugene (June 18, 2004)."Wolfe Gets" Brother to Brother, "Rodney Evans' Film About Black Gay Life".IndieWire.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^"Brother to Brother (2004)".Box Office Mojo.
- ^abJudell, Brandon (November 4, 2004).""Brother to Brother" And then Some: Rodney Evans Flashes on the Harlem Renaissance ".IndieWire.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^ab"Brother to Brother".Independent Television Service.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^Davis, Andrew (December 1, 2004)."Rodney Evans: Talking Brother to Brother".Windy City Times.RetrievedNovember 21,2021.
- ^Keyes, Allison."'Brother To Brother': Blacks and Homosexuality ".NPR.org.RetrievedNovember 21,2021.
- ^Burr, Ty (February 4, 2005)."Brother to Brother".The Boston Globe.Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2005.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^Klemm, Michael D. (September 2005)."Sentimental Journey".Cinema Queer.RetrievedNovember 21,2021.
- ^"Brother to Brother".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^"Wolfe Gets" Brother to Brother, "Rodney Evans' Film About Black Gay Life".IndieWire.June 18, 2004.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^ab"Queering the Canon: BROTHER TO BROTHER (2004)".NewFest.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^abBrooks, Brian (August 2, 2004).""Brother to Brother" Fulfills Gay Fest Sweep with Philadelphia Award ".IndieWire.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^"2004 Sundance Film Festival".sundance.org.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^"Nominees for the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards".GLAAD.January 19, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon April 27, 2006.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
- ^"Independent bids for Spirit Awards".Los Angeles Times.December 1, 2004.RetrievedOctober 28,2022.
Further reading
edit- Pavda, Gilad (2014). "Black Nostalgia: Poetry, Ethnicity, and Homoeroticism inLooking for LangstonandBrother to Brother".Queer Nostalgia in Cinema and Pop Culture.Palgrave Macmillan UK. pp. 199–226.ISBN978-1-137-26633-0.