The Obituary of Tunde Johnson

A gay Black teenager is killed by cops on his way to a party…or at the beach, hanging with his boyfriend…or in front of a convenience store, waiting for a friend…or all of the above, as 18-year-old Tunde wakes up again—and again—on the last day of his tragically short life. Timely and urgent, The Obituary of Tunde Johnson updates the Groundhog Day structure for a riveting tale at the intersection of anti-Black police violence and the resurgence of homophobia in the Trump era.

Hauntingly played by Steven Silver (13 Reasons Why) in a mesmerizing performance that shifts with each twist of fate, Tunde lives with suicidal thoughts, a Xanax addiction, and a hot-but-closeted jock boyfriend who can’t find the courage to come out. Infused with emotion and sexuality by director Ali LeRoi (Everybody Hates Chris) and subtly written by 19-year-old, Nigerian-born discovery Stanley Kalu, The Obituary of Tunde Johnson is an uncommonly empowering and unique motion picture that offers a vivid, inventive portrait of growing up Black and gay in America today.

— K.M. SOEHNLEIN

This film contains scenes of homophobic violence and police violence.

Buying Note: This digital screening is available to view between 12:01am Thursday, September 17 and 11:59pm Sunday, September 27. We suggest watching it at 8:30pm Thursday, September 24 followed by the Q&A.

SPONSORED BY
WarnerMedia

CO-PRESENTED BY
Black X Film Festival & Telling Pictures