Set for release in 2016, we are excited about the upcoming film Happy Birthday, Marsha!, which centers around transgender pioneer Marsha P. Johnson. We recently reported on Marsha in our profile piece on Sylvia Rivera.
The film stars Mya Taylor from Tangerine as Martha and Eve Lindley as Sylvia Rivera. It profile’s Marsha’s journey leading up to the 1969 Stonewall riots. It was written, directed, and produced by Reina Gossett and Sasha Wortzel.
“We truly believe how we tell the stories of our heroes matters, so we are drawing upon our community to make this film because we have an opportunity to make a movie written, directed and produced by people living Sylvia & Marsha’s legacy through our own work.” – Gossett and Wortzel w/ Eric Shorey
After many have criticized the recent Stonewall movie which downplays and basically leaves out the role Marsha played in the events at the riots there is hope that this film will be a more accurate portrayal of what actually happened. The film makers were also able to get a hold of some classic VHS footage of Marsha that is said to be incorporated throughout the film.
Happy Birthday, Marsha! was filmed independently and Gosset and Wortzel have launched a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo to help with the post production and festival entry costs. All the transgender roles in the movie are portrayed by actors who are actually transgender, which is something we do not get to see often.
In an article for the New Yorker by Grace Dunham, she goes behind the scenes on the making of the film and the history of Stonewall. Nextnownext’s Eric Shorey also has an interesting piece on the reactions to the Stonewall movie and the hopes for Happy Birthday, Marsha!
So look out for Happy Birthday, Marsha! in 2016. Early indications for this film look promising. You can learn more at the film’s website at http://www.happybirthdaymarsha.com/
You can see the trailer below.
Mila Madison
I am really excited for this film and the fact that the characters are played authentically by members of our community. I find the stories of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera fascinating. Though there has been so much debate over what actually happened at Stonewall and who was involved I think it is what came out of those events that matter most. I will certainly be going to see it the first chance I get.
