Stonewall Uprising
If you’re a first-time visitor to the Stonewall Inn, then the documentary Stonewall Uprising by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner will be an adequate Gay History 101. However, if you’ve had too many rounds already, it all seems like a lot of historical backwash. Based on a book by David Carter, the film captures firsthand accounts of what transpired on June 28, 1969 when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. Unfortunately, these stories are relegated to the final third of the film. The first hour is spent setting the scene, but Davis and Heilbroner repeatedly skim the surface in an effort to cover a lot of ground. A reflection of the LGBT movement in recent years, analogies to the civil rights movement abound during the narratives, but old news footage and anti-gay propaganda films are the most interesting part of the story. As stated at the beginning of the film, very few images exist from the actual riots, and you’ll be very familiar with these shots by the end. While Stonewall remains a turning point for the LGBT movement, Stonewall Uprising doesn’t represent a turning point for our insights into that fateful weekend. TWO STARS. Now playing at the Landmark E Street Cinemas, 555 11th St. NW. Call 202-452-7672 or visit landmarktheatres.com.
Reviewed by Tim Plant.
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