The first trailer for Rustin, starring Colmon Domingo (Euphoria), has been released – and it’s epic.
Netflix’s new biopic tells the story of Bayard Rustin (Domingo), the architect of the 1963 March on Washington.
In August of that year, 250,000 people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in protest of racial discrimination.
The official synopsis reads: “Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organisers the world has ever known.
“He challenged authority, never apologised 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.”
The trailer opens to Bayard galvanising his group, followed by an amalgamation of new footage and original footage from the time.
A series of clips are pulled together to show the creation and logistical side of the march. Rustin addresses the group of organisers: “We are going to put together the largest peaceful protest, made up of angelic troublemakers, like yourselves.”
“How many bodies does it take to surround the white house?” he says in another shot, to which a female responds: “How many? Sorry I thought that was a set up for a joke. You literally want me to find out?” Rustin simply hits back: “Yes.”
The critically acclaimed film has been directed by George C. Wolfe.
Rustin, who was erased from the history books due to the era’s homophobic and racial discrimination, gave his life to social justice and brought LGBTQIA+ issues to the forefront.
He continued to be a vital figure in the civil rights movement, and a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr, before passing away in 1987.
The activist was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. He was also posthumously pardoned for gay sex.
As the trailer draws to a close someone turns to Rustin and says: “I remember saying this Rustin fella’s a little crazy, only later did I fully comprehend that a little didn’t even come close.”
The trailer draws to a close with Rustin saying: “We are committed to altering the trajectory towards freedom that is what is on the line, nothing less.”
This is seen with a triumphant shot over the Washington memorial before panning back to Rustin, who defiantly states: “Lord I hope and pray they come today!”
News broke that the 52-year-old Domingo would play the role of Rustin in October 2021.
The cast includes Chris Rock(Grown Ups), Glynn Turman (Gremlins), Jeffrey Wright (The Batman) and Audra McDonald (Respect).
Rustin will be available to watch at selected cinemas in November and available to stream on Netflix from 17 November.
Watch the full trailer below:
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