New on Netflix: A biopic about a little-known hero who still changed America

The number of people who gathered in the streets of Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, mostly African-American. A century after the abolition of slavery, everyone marched to protect black civil rights.

The climax of this event, known as the largest peaceful demonstration in the United States, was none other than the famous speech of the politician Martin Luther King, who began with the following words:I have a dream“.

This historical moment has been told and recreated many times in the cinema. One recent example is Ava DuVernay’s return to Selma. Bayard Rustin, directed by George S. Wolff, 60 years later, focuses on the man who spearheaded this gathering. A man whose name remained unknown for a long time. Today, he finds light again thanks to this biography.

A rebel at heart, Bayar Rustin was not just a respectable political activist. He was also a gay man and, for the same reason, faced a lot of attacks from those who wanted to discredit his struggle.

“Bayard is an extraordinary person and people should know himsays filmmaker George C. Wolfe in an interview with IndieWire. Their lives will only be better after that.“

Co-written by Dustin Lance Black – the screenwriter of Gus Van Sant’s Milk – Bayard Rustin is quite short for a biopic – barely 1h50 – which allows it to attack its subject head-on, without excessive length, and a very specific angle: organizing a march, against all odds, With the help of Martin Luther King.

The supreme strength of this project lies in the talent of Colman Domingo (Euphoria), who is absolutely impressive in the title role. A performance that could take him straight to the Oscars.

Bayard Rustin is available on Netflix.