Rustin biopic tells the story of forgotten civil rights activist Bayard Rustin

Netflix is set to release a new biopic titled “Rustin” on November 17th, which tells the story of Bayard Rustin, the late civil rights activist, openly gay Black leader, and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington. The film was directed by DGA award and five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe and produced by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s production company, “Higher Ground Productions.” Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming release:

“Rustin” will run in select theaters on November 3rd, and stream on Netflix on November 17th. The significance of the release date cannot be understated, as 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, a pivotal event orchestrated by Rustin that reverberated throughout the civil rights movement.

The film follows the life and work of Bayard Rustin, who was an organizer and advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. on the historic march and gathering. Rustin’s refusal to apologize for who he was, what he believed in, and who he loved, alongside his instincts to challenge authority, is captured in the powerful two-minute teaser.

What does this film mean to the Black LGBTQ+ community?

Despite others’ unwillingness to see Black queer people as equal fighters and benefactors in the civil rights cause, Rustin’s strength of character and will helped galvanize a generation and set in motion one of history’s most monumental displays of resistance and calls for freedom. He challenged authority and never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten.

Because he was a gay man who was forced to live with the constraints and prejudices of the time— including beatings and arrests—his role in the movement was not widely publicized, muting the true significance of his contribution. He received recognition in 2013 when he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

Rustin. (L to R) Michael Potts as Cleve Robinson, Aml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr., Chris Rock as NAACP Exec. Dir. Roy Wilkins, Glynn Turman as A. Philip Randolph and Kevin Mambo as Whitney Young in Rustin. Cr. David Lee/Netflix © 2023

The Cast of Rustin

The production of “Rustin” was a grand undertaking, with the film shot in western Pennsylvania, involving a dedicated crew of filmmakers and up to 2,000 extras. The collaboration with the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice underscores the commitment to preserving Rustin’s legacy and continuing the work he began.

Euphoria star, Tony Award nominee, and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo plays the role of Bayard Rustin in the film. Domingo is known for appearing in several films and TV shows, including “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” He has Afro-Latino roots, as his dad has descent from Belize and Guatemala.

Director George C. Wolfe, known for his exceptional contributions to the stage and screen, shared his profound connection to Rustin’s story, stating, “Having lived inside the mind, the accomplishments, and the astonishing legacy that is Bayard Rustin, casually for the past thirty years as an admirer, and intensely so for the past four, crafting a film about him, there is one event, incidental yet revelatory which fills me with unabashed joy.”

Produced by Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis, and George C. Wolfe, the film features an all-star-studded ensemble including industry luminaries such as Emmy and Grammy winner Chris Rock, Emmy winner Glynn Turman, six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Wright, Aml Ameen, four-time Emmy nominee CCH Pounder, and many others, each bringing their own flair to the narrative. Their involvement underscores the significance of Rustin’s story and its enduring relevance in today’s social and political landscape.

With an array of esteemed filmmakers at the helm, including the likes of Julian Breece and Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black contributing to the screenplay, and with the backing of Higher Ground Productions, founded by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, “Rustin” promises to be a testament to the enduring spirit of activism and resilience in the face of adversity.

The first trailer for “Rustin” was released on August 28th, 2023, and promises to put an inspiring and rousing portrait of the March on Washington’s architect on display. The trailer shows Domingo’s Rustin telling a group of young activists, “We are committed to the cause of altering the trajectory of this country towards freedom. They either believe in freedom and justice for all, or they do not.”