Little Richard: I Am Everything
classified 15Queer Vision 2023
Please note: This was screened in June 2023
Uncovering the alternative origins of rock ’n’ roll through its most influential pioneer Little Richard, with a wealth of archival footage and interviews with artists including Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Billy Porter and Nile Rodgers.
Richard Wayne Penniman, known to the world as Little Richard, was without a doubt one of the godfathers of rock 'n’ roll, blazing a flamboyant trail for Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, David Bowie and everyone in-between. Director Lisa Cortés uses a wealth of archival footage to bring to life the Black, Queer origins of rock 'n’ roll, demolishing the dominant white-washed narrative.
The result is a multi-layered film, exploring and embracing Little Richard’s complicated inner world with all the twists and contradictions in between.