It’s always a good idea to remember the roots of the Pride movement. In the US, the Stonewall uprising was a key point at the start of queer liberation during the late 1960s in New York City. It symbolised the beginning of the end of queer people living in the shadows. These films bring new perspectives and thoughts to the Stonewall riots, one of the most historic events in LGBTQ+ history.

Stonewall Forever

Stonewall Forever was released in 2019 and combines the past with the present as it delves into the story of the 1969 riot. The LGBT Community Center funded the movie, and it is short and to the point, coming in at a watch time of a little over 21 minutes. Stonewall Forever can be viewed on the Stonewall Forever website or on YouTube.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson details the lives of both Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were trailblazing activists and founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). The movie primarily followed Victoria Cruz’s investigation into Johnson’s alleged suicide and comes in at about an hour and 45 minutes. It’s available for viewing on Netflix. 

Before Stonewall and After Stonewall

Before Stonewall and After Stonewall are part of a series that investigates the experiences of the queer community before and after the Stonewall riots. Directed by Jon Scagliotti, they are thought to be some of the most well-respected documentaries on this era of American and queer history. Before Stonewall can be viewed on Apple TV and Google Movies. After Stonewall can be purchased on Amazon as a DVD.

Stonewall Uprising

Stonewall Uprising is a PBS documentary describing the night of June 28, 1969. The 90-minute movie offers an in-depth look at that night while providing those involved with a platform to have their voice heard. This documentary can be viewed on YouTube in the United States and on Amazon Prime Video. 

Stonewall 50: The Revolution

Stonewall 50: The Revolution is a four-part episodic documentary series by NBC Out and Nightly Films. The films start in the 1920s and ’30s and continue through to the present day queer movement. Each episode is bite-sized, making the series quick and easy to binge-watch and can be viewed on NBC’s website.  

These Stonewall films do a great job of portraying the rich and complex history of the event. Each film can provide more context surrounding the people, place, and society in which queer liberation occurred. Make sure to add these documentaries to your Pride watchlist!

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