'Come learn and be inspired': Whaling Museum to host biopic screening on Bayard Rustin
NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Whaling Museum, in conjunction with the SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network, will host a screening of the Bayard Rustin Netflix biopic "Rustin" on Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
"Rustin is one of the most important figures of the 20th century. His contributions were far reaching and incredibly powerful yet this person was sidelined because of who he loved," said Andrew Pollack, president of the LGBTQ+ Network.
"Come learn and be inspired."
Who is Bayard Rustin?
Bayard Rustin was a prominent American civil rights activist who played a key role in the African American civil rights movement and was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. He worked closely with civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to plan and execute this historic event, which brought together over 200,000 people to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans.
Also, according to USAToday, Rustin was a devoted follower of the principles of nonviolent resistance, which he learned from his mentor, Mahatma Gandhi. He believed that nonviolent direct action was the most effective way to bring about social and political change, and he often organized sit-ins, boycotts, and other acts of civil disobedience.
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Rustin was a vocal advocate for desegregation and worked tirelessly to end racial segregation and discrimination in various arenas. He organized numerous protests and campaigns to challenge discriminatory practices, including the famous.
"We are thrilled to co-host the screening of 'Rustin' with the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network. The screening and discussion is a celebration of the courage and collective action that is present both within the film as well as in our New Bedford community," said Jennifer Zanolli, director of Museum Experience and Community Engagement at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Admission is free, and there will be a panel discussion following the film.
What to expect in the Netflix film
"Rustin," released on Netflix in November 2023, stars Colman Domingo ("Selma") as Rustin as well as Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, Jeffrey Wright and Audra McDonald.
The film is directed by George C. Wolfe, best known for his work on "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" starring Oprah.
The screenplay was written by Dustin Lance Black, who previously won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "Milk," a biopic about gay rights activist Harvey Milk.
Domingo is on the short list to receive the 2024 Best Actor Oscar nomination as well as the Lenny Kravitz's "Road to Freedom" for Best Original Song.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Netflix 'Rustin' biopic film on Bayard Rustin to screen in New Bedford
