Newfest presents in-person screening of Little Richard: I Am Everything
What are the queer Black origins of rock ‘n’ roll? Find out with the screening of this joyous documentary plus an in-person Q&A with director Lisa Cortés.
Fresh off its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Lisa Cortés’ joyous documentary tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman, aka Little Richard.
Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions.
In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n’ roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes – he was unabashedly everything.
The screening will take place in person in NYC at the LGBT Community Center on March 23 at 7pm followed by a Q&A with the director. More information and tickets ($12/$5) here.
