Harrowing and hopeful, Standing-n-Truth: Breaking the Silence is a passionate, absorbing documentary that explores African American sexual identity. Filmmaker Tim Daniels interviews a diverse, insightful group of thought-leaders and everyday folks about what it means to be black and gay in America. From academics and artists to preachers and politicians, the film’s varied voices, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, writer Michael Eric Dyson and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, offer opinions and stories about everything from how they learned about sex to how the contemporary church deals with AIDS. Along the way, the film generates essential discussion points by highlighting grim statistics (Black people represent 13% of the US population but account for 51% of AIDS cases), or by asking compelling questions (name three prominent black homosexuals).

First time director Daniels crafts a thoughtful, even-handed film, complete with a lovely and understated musical soundtrack, to explore subjects that often generate hysteria and avoidance. By focusing on real people and their passionate stories, Daniels strips away the political and religious messiness of these issues and makes them human and emotionally charged. Fueled by a message of openness and community, Daniels’ film is an energetic and important wake up call designed to push aside the fear and shame of the past and embrace the truth about sexual identity in all cultures. — BRENDAN PETERSON