
Tongues Untied(1990)
“Black Men Loving Black Men”
Overview
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
Marlon Riggs
Studio
Signifyin' Works
Cast

Marlon Riggs
as Self

Essex Hemphill
as Self - Poetry Performance
Brian Freeman
as Self

Michael Bell
as Self

Willi Ninja
as Self
Kerrigan Black
as Self

Blackberri
as Self
Djola Bernard Branner
as Self

Eddie Murphy
as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1990
Runtime
0h 55m
Language
English
Rating
6.6 / 10
Production Companies
Signifyin' Works
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Tongues Untied?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Tongues Untied (1990).
What is Tongues Untied about?▼
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.
Who directed Tongues Untied?▼
Tongues Untied was directed by Marlon Riggs and released in 1990. It is a documentary film.
How long is Tongues Untied?▼
Tongues Untied has a runtime of 0 hours and 55 minutes (55 minutes total).
Who stars in Tongues Untied?▼
The cast of Tongues Untied includes Marlon Riggs as Self, Essex Hemphill as Self - Poetry Performance, Brian Freeman as Self, Michael Bell as Self, Willi Ninja as Self and more.
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