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The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

  • 2017
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Marsha P. Johnson in The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
Never-before-seen footage and rediscovered interviews combine to aid in the search for the truth behind the mysterious 1992 death of black transgender activist and Stonewall veteran Marsha P. Johnson.
Play trailer2:22
1 Video
13 Photos
BiographyDocumentary

Victoria Cruz investigates the mysterious 1992 death of black gay rights activist and Stonewall veteran, Marsha P. Johnson. Using archival interviews with Johnson, and new interviews with Jo... Read allVictoria Cruz investigates the mysterious 1992 death of black gay rights activist and Stonewall veteran, Marsha P. Johnson. Using archival interviews with Johnson, and new interviews with Johnson's family, friends and fellow activists.Victoria Cruz investigates the mysterious 1992 death of black gay rights activist and Stonewall veteran, Marsha P. Johnson. Using archival interviews with Johnson, and new interviews with Johnson's family, friends and fellow activists.

  • Director
    • David France
  • Writers
    • David France
    • Mark Blane
  • Stars
    • Kurt Wolfe
    • Sue Yacka
    • Catherine Shugrue Dos Santos
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David France
    • Writers
      • David France
      • Mark Blane
    • Stars
      • Kurt Wolfe
      • Sue Yacka
      • Catherine Shugrue Dos Santos
    • 12User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Official Trailer

    Photos13

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    Top cast48

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    Kurt Wolfe
    • Self
    Sue Yacka
    • Self
    Catherine Shugrue Dos Santos
    • Self
    Victoria Cruz
    Victoria Cruz
    • Self - Crime-Victim Advocate
    Marcus Maier
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Taylor Mead
    Taylor Mead
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Marsha P. Johnson
    Marsha P. Johnson
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Jean Michaels
    • Self - Marsha's Sister
    Robert Michaels
    • Self - Marsha's Brother
    Jimmy Camicia
    • Self - Marsha's Friend
    • (archive footage)
    Randolfe Wicker
    • Self - Marsha's Roommate
    • (as Randy Wicker)
    Joe Cooper
    • Self
    James McShane
    • Self
    • (as Capt. James McShane)
    Sylvia Rivera
    • Self - Marsha's Friend
    • (archive footage)
    Karla Jay
    Karla Jay
    • Self - LGBT Movement Co-Founder
    Agosto Machado
    • Self - LGBT Movement Co-Founder
    Mark Segal
    Mark Segal
    • Self - LGBT Movement Co-Founder
    Chanel Lopez
    • Self
    • Director
      • David France
    • Writers
      • David France
      • Mark Blane
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Marsha P. Johnson: Really, everybody goes sooner or later. Tomorrow's not promised to anyone. I learned that in church when I was five years old. And I've never forgotten it. So, uh, every day counts.

      [chuckles]

    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Rosie O'Donnell/David France/Anton Fig (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Aheym for Orchestra
      Performed by Kronos Quartet with Bryce Dessner

      Composed by Bryce Dessner

      Published by G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP) o/b/o Chester Music (PRS)

      Courtesy of ANTI-Records

    User reviews12

    Featured review
    7/10

    Spaces

    A triangular shaped metal sign on a pole near where Marsha Johnson's body was found is titled Queer Spaces and explains who she was and how she died. This sign says a lot about this film--spaces. So many spaces exist where we learn nothing about Marsha's life or spaces where files about her case have gone missing, spaces where we get a glimpse of a person's life in her 20's and then only a glimpse again when she is in much older (true of Sylvia, Victoria, and many others).

    The compelling aspect of this documentary is the character study of the unflappable Victoria in her investigation and Sylvia Riviera, who hits the bottom and comes back to be a great activist. Both are more interesting than Marsha herself--at least what we learn of Marsha in this film. The scenes where Victoria shows us photos of herself when she was young on stage and Sylvia getting a job at a church are wonderful.

    One big space is the lack of resources put into investigating the violence against trans-gendered people--Victoria's boss notes this toward the end. The spaces are the questions always left unanswered when someone dies without reason.

    Basically, the movie's title is misleading. It's not really about Marsha, though she is a part of the larger story. It's about being trans-gendered in New York and how this has changed and not changed in the last 50 years.
    • onegreendress-50314
    • Oct 6, 2017
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 6, 2017 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Greece
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cuộc Đời và Cái Chết Của Marsha P. Johnson
    • Production companies
      • Public Square Films
      • Ninety Thousand Words
      • Faliro House Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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