Little Richard: I Am Everything
by Lisa Cortés
LISA CORTÉS:
»Without Little Richard, would Lizzo exist? Would Lil Nas X? Would the Rolling Stones?«
Lisa Cortés | USA | 2023 | 101′ | OmeU
Director Lisa Cortés’ documentary, screened at the Sundance opening, LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING tells the story of the black queer origins of rock n’ roll, It explodes the whitewashed canon of American pop music and reveals the innovator – the inventor – Richard Penniman. Using a wealth of archival footage and performances to immerse us in Richard’s complicated inner world, the film covers the icon’s life story with all its twists, turns and contradictions. Through interviews with family members, musicians, and leading black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, but what he gave to the world he could never give to himself.
Throughout his life, Richard floundered like a shiny, broken pinball machine between God, sex, and rock n’ roll. The world tried to pigeonhole him, but Richard was a jack of all trades – he was unashamedly everything.
