Blackstar Autobiography of a Close Friend (1976)

In this experimental selfethnographic documentary Tom Joslin blends breathtaking moving snapshots from the natural world filmic cultural touchstones and cutting pseudo cinéma vérité to dissect and reassemble his gay identity despite constant warnings to stay in the closet Blackstar sees Joslin and partner Mark Massi fleshing out their enduring commitment and obvious love for one another amidst the insecurity that a selfconscious documentary lens instills As interviews with Joslins mother father and brothers attempt to break down the legitimacy of Joslin and Massis romance the pair use everything at their disposal including inspiration from gay revolutionaries and painfully honest conversations to hold up their abnormality as a point of pride rather than shame Shayna Warner