7 Essential Documentaries Highlighting African Diaspora, Asian and LGBTQ Perspectives In Film

The recent release of Russell T. Davies' It's A Sin has spouted a surge in many reliving their personal experiences of being a part of the LGBTQ community during the height of the AIDS pandemic. Whilst it is humbling to hear of how others have ushered in change within LGBT rights, the voices and viewpoints of African Diaspora, Asian and LGBTQ communities of other countries are frequently still left overlooked. History often remains somewhat fractured, and we are often left wondering of stories left untold or perspectives left unshared due to ongoing fears of prejudice and stigma. With this in mind, we've hand-picked a series of pivotal documentaries that offer in-depth accounts and personal insight into the challenges and trauma many marginalised LGBTQ communities have faced, and also highlights the work of several African American and Asian filmmakers. All of these films work to challenge and encourage a dialogue that incites change and each additionally bestows upon us a new awareness of histories often left hidden.

(And to any members of our infinite community of LGBTQ artists and filmmakers, I hope your stories continue to be shared and we eventually reach a point where you no longer feel afraid to voice your experiences.)

Still Black – A Portrait of Black Transmen

Directed by Kortney Ryan Zieglar, this 1989 film documents the lives and struggles of six black trans men residing in the US. The film works to break down negative preconceptions of black masculinity and queerness during the '80s while harnessing the power of community to overcome dangerous and damaging stereotypes both black men and black trans men face in everyday life. Split into 6 short black and white films, the award-winning experimental documentary follows the cast as they navigate their own careers, relationships and share their most personal experiences. 

Paris Is Burning

Already an iconic pick for many, Paris Is Burning is a widely applauded documentary unveiling the stark realities of gay and trans African American and Latino communities residing in New York City during the mid-80s. Largely focused on the “Golden Age” of the Ballroom/Drag culture scene, the film offers deeply personal and intimate reflections on both the desires, hopes and fears of members of the community, as well as the many grisly dangers faced by gay and trans individuals during this time. Directed by Jennie Livingston in 1990, the film also offers an important insight into the stigma surrounding the peak of the AIDS crisis in reflection to the current day.

 Tongues Untied

Innovatively adopting a documentarian style encompassing both personal insight and poetry, Marlon Riggs powerfully addresses themes of racism, homophobia and the societal repercussions faced by North American black gay men in Tongues Untied. The film also features excerpts of civil rights activism and examples of homophobia within mainstream art culture. In more recent interviews Riggs has also stated the “silence” seen throughout the documentary had been created to portray how black gay men amongst his community were “silenced” and faced great prejudices and hyper-sexualisation from heterosexual and white communities.¹

Black./Womyn.: Conversations with Lesbians of African Descent

In this superbly put together piece, interdisciplinary conceptual artist and filmmaker Tiona Nekkia McClodden works to unpick preconcerted stereotypes of black lesbians in the media and collapse them at the seams. Exploring African Diaspora identities, values and beliefs is often at the core of McClodden's work, and black./womyn. specifically garners the interpersonal perspectives of black lesbians from many differing generations through the form of interviews, including author Fiona Zedde and filmmaker and activist Aishah Shahidah Simmons.

 Small Talk

First premiered at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival in 2017, Small Talk candidly captures a fragmented relationship between a daughter and her Taoist Priestess mother. Acting as a partial self-portrait, the documentary follows the film's director Huang Hui-chen and her lesbian mother A-nu. Their story exposes the damage of unhealed traumas, explores queer communities and the philosophies and ethics amongst the practice of Taoism within Taiwanese culture and follows the steps of both towards a potential reconciliation.

Kiki

A more modern take (and somewhat unofficial sequel) to Paris Is Burning, Kiki is a tender exploration into the vibrant LGBTQ youth culture in the African American ballroom scene of New York. Directed by filmmaker, visual artist and activist Sara Jordenö, and featuring Twiggy Pucci Garçon and Gia Marie Love, the film once again addresses the importance of AIDS awareness and sexual health activism and the stigma continuing to surround both black and queer young people and adults across the US.

Gayby Baby

Gayby Baby follows the progress of four children who have been raised by same-sex couples in Australia. The film is both a touching, and at times humorous, educational watch that also seeks to highlight the political background of same-sex parenting within Australia. Director Maya Newell, who was additionally raised by same-sex mothers herself, helps to give perceptiveness to the experience of young children being raised by LGBT families and provide awareness and support to others going through similar experiences worldwide.

We’d love to hear any additional documentaries that you think would suit this list! Just pop us a DMM or email!