Directing

Marlon Riggs

Born February 3, 1957 · Fort Worth, Texas, USA

Died April 5, 1994 · aged 37

Marlon Troy Riggs (February 3, 1957 – April 5, 1994) was an American filmmaker, educator (professor), poet, and gay rights activist. He produced, wrote, and directed several television documentaries, including Ethnic Notions, Tongues Untied, Color Adjustment, and Black is... Black Ain't. Riggs created aesthetically innovative and socially provocative films that examine past and present representat…

Known For

Tongues Untied

Tongues Untied · 1990

MovieDocumentary

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Ethnic Notions

Ethnic Notions · 1986

MovieDocumentary

This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice.

Color Adjustment

Color Adjustment · 1992

Color Adjustment

MovieDocumentaryHistory

From Amos 'n' Andy to Nat King Cole, from Roots to The Cosby Show, black people have played many roles on primetime television. Brilliantly weaving clips from classic TV shows with commentary from TV producers, black actors and scholars, Marlon Riggs blends humor, insight, and thoughtful analysis to explore the evolution of black/white relations as reflected by America's favorite addiction.

Affirmations

Affirmations · 1990

MovieDocumentary

A look at what it's like to be gay and black in America.

Anthem

A collage of erotic images and a call to arms, with a feverish hip-hop energy that celebrates the lives of African American men.

Black Is… Black Ain’t

Black Is… Black Ain’t · 1995

Black Is… Black Ain’t

MovieDocumentary

African-American documentary filmmaker Marlon Riggs was working on this final film as he died from AIDS-related complications in 1994; he addresses the camera from his hospital bed in several scenes. The film directly addresses sexism and homophobia within the black community, with snippets of misogynistic and anti-gay slurs from popular hip-hop songs juxtaposed with interviews with African-American intellectuals and political theorists, including Cornel West, bell hooks and Angela Davis.

Boys' Shorts

Boys' Shorts · 1993

MovieComedyDrama

In these sexy, fun and darkly entertaining boys shorts, we see the hilarious terrors of gay childhood, an Internet hook-up with unexpected motivation and what happens when you hate musicals. You might wonder if theres hope for a gay Lothario, and sometimes you'll see that when you go home, the end is just the beginning.

Circle of Recovery

Circle of Recovery

Circle of Recovery

MovieDocumentary

A group of black, male addicts in recovery meet and reflect on their experiences with life, alcohol and drugs.

Filmography

Sort

Tongues Untied

Tongues Untied · 1990

MovieDocumentary

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Director

Ethnic Notions

Ethnic Notions · 1986

MovieDocumentary

This documentary traces the deep-rooted stereotypes which have fueled anti-black prejudice.

Director

Color Adjustment

Color Adjustment · 1992

Color Adjustment

MovieDocumentaryHistory

From Amos 'n' Andy to Nat King Cole, from Roots to The Cosby Show, black people have played many roles on primetime television. Brilliantly weaving clips from classic TV shows with commentary from TV producers, black actors and scholars, Marlon Riggs blends humor, insight, and thoughtful analysis to explore the evolution of black/white relations as reflected by America's favorite addiction.

Director

Affirmations

Affirmations · 1990

MovieDocumentary

A look at what it's like to be gay and black in America.

Director

Anthem

A collage of erotic images and a call to arms, with a feverish hip-hop energy that celebrates the lives of African American men.

Director

Black Is… Black Ain’t

Black Is… Black Ain’t · 1995

Black Is… Black Ain’t

MovieDocumentary

African-American documentary filmmaker Marlon Riggs was working on this final film as he died from AIDS-related complications in 1994; he addresses the camera from his hospital bed in several scenes. The film directly addresses sexism and homophobia within the black community, with snippets of misogynistic and anti-gay slurs from popular hip-hop songs juxtaposed with interviews with African-American intellectuals and political theorists, including Cornel West, bell hooks and Angela Davis.

Director

Boys' Shorts

Boys' Shorts · 1993

MovieComedyDrama

In these sexy, fun and darkly entertaining boys shorts, we see the hilarious terrors of gay childhood, an Internet hook-up with unexpected motivation and what happens when you hate musicals. You might wonder if theres hope for a gay Lothario, and sometimes you'll see that when you go home, the end is just the beginning.

Director

Circle of Recovery

Circle of Recovery

Circle of Recovery

MovieDocumentary

A group of black, male addicts in recovery meet and reflect on their experiences with life, alcohol and drugs.

Consulting Producer

No Regret

No Regret · 1993

MovieDocumentary

Five gay Black men who are HIV-positive discuss how they are battling the double stigmas surrounding their infection and homosexuality.

Director

Long Train Running: A History of the Oakland Blues

Long Train Running: A History of the Oakland Blues · 1981

Long Train Running: A History of the Oakland Blues

MovieDocumentary

Marlon Riggs and Peter Webster’s thesis project reflects on the heyday of Oakland blues in the late 1940s and ’50s, when an influx of African American shipyard workers mostly hailing from Louisiana and Texas arrived in the Bay Area. Combining vintage photographs, archival footage, interviews, and performances at venues like Eli’s Mile High Club, Riggs and Webster chronicle Oakland’s vibrant past while revealing an uncertain present.

Director

Point of View

Point of View · 1988

SeriesDocumentary

Since its 1988 premiere, this critically acclaimed documentary series has presented hundreds of films that put a human face on contemporary social issues by relating a compelling story in an intimate fashion. "POV" has won virtually every major film and broadcasting award available, including 38 Emmys, 22 Peabody Awards and three Oscars.

Director