Looking for Langston(1989)
Looking for Langston Synopsis
A black and white, fantasy-like recreation of high-society gay men during the Harlem Renaissance, with archival footage and photographs intercut with a story. A wake is going on, with mourners gathered around a coffin. Downstairs is an elegant bar where tuxedoed men dance and talk. One of them has a dream in which he comes upon Beauty, who seems to reject him, although when he awakes, Beauty is sleeping beside him. His story and his visits to the jazz and dance club are framed by voices reading from the poetry and essays of Hughes and others. The text is rarely explicit, but the freedom of gay Black men in the 1920s in Harlem is suggested and celebrated visually.
Looking for Langston (1989) is a drama film directed by Isaac Julien, released on October 31, 1989 with a runtime of 45m. It stars Ben Ellison, Matthew Baidoo, Akim Mogaji and John Wilson. Viewers rate it 5.1 out of 10 across 25 ratings.
- Director:
- Isaac Julien
- Writers:
- Isaac Julien
- Producers:
- Nadine Marsh-Edwards
- Cinematographer:
- Nina Kellgren
- Composer:
- Trevor Mathison
- Production:
- BFI, Sankofa Film & Video
- Status:
- Released
Looking for Langston Cast & Crew
Main cast
- Ben Ellison
Ben Ellison
as Alex
- Matthew Baidoo
Matthew Baidoo
as Beauty
- Akim Mogaji
Akim Mogaji
as James
- John Wilson
John Wilson
as Karl
- Dencil Williams
Dencil Williams
as Marcus
- Guy Burgess
Guy Burgess
as Dean
Dublin James Wahlberg
as Carlos
- Harry Donaldson
Harry Donaldson
as Leatherboy
Jimmy Somerville
as Angel
Langston Hughes
as Self (archive footage)
Stuart Hall
as British (voice)
Key crew
Directed by Isaac Julien, written by Isaac Julien, produced by Nadine Marsh-Edwards.
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Looking for Langston Reviews & Ratings
Average viewer score of 5.1/10 from 25 ratings.
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Looking for Langston – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Looking for Langston online?
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Looking for Langston (1989) does not have a confirmed streaming, rental or digital purchase option listed for your region yet. Availability is refreshed regularly, so check back for updates.
Who stars in Looking for Langston?
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The main cast of Looking for Langston (1989) includes Ben Ellison, Matthew Baidoo, Akim Mogaji, John Wilson and Dencil Williams. The film was directed by Isaac Julien. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
When was Looking for Langston released?
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Looking for Langston was released on October 31, 1989 and runs for 45m.
Is Looking for Langston worth watching?
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Looking for Langston (1989) holds an average rating of 5.1 out of 10 from 25 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy drama films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.