Happy Birthday, Marsha!

Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a short film from 2017 that poignantly showcases a significant event in the history of the LGBTQ+ movement - the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Directed by Reina Gossett and Sasha Wortzel, the film shiningly features the lives and experiences of trans women of color, who were pivotal figures in sparking the monumental riots and subsequently, the global gay rights movement.

The story focuses on the day in the life of Marsha P. Johnson, impressively portrayed by Mya Taylor, an Academy award-nominated actress for her performance in the film Tangerine. Marsha P. Johnson, also known as "the Rosa Parks of the LGBT movement", is shown preparing for her birthday amidst the growing unrest and tension leading up to the riot. Eve Lindley portrays Marsha's co-activist and close friend, Sylvia Rivera, another lesser-known yet central figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Silas Howard, known for his work in the TV series Transparent and This is Us also stars in the film, bringing an added layer of authenticity. This exciting cast helps the film depict the comradeship, vivacity, and resilience of the transgender community in the face of an oppressive society.

Far away from a traditional biopic, Happy Birthday, Marsha! combines elements of fictional narrative, archival footage, and magical realism to create an artful and evocative portrait of the few hours leading up to a monumental event. It takes us inside Marsha's world, capturing the grit and spirit of a community constantly under threat while managing to maintain joy and solidarity amongst each other.

The movie delves into the aspects of friendship, identity, and celebration in a heart-warming, moving manner while never losing sight of the struggles and the hardships that the characters face every day. It beautifully seeks to reclaim and spotlight the roles that Johnson and others of the transgender community played in defining a significant period of queer history.

The film’s visual aesthetic wonderfully creates a 1960s New York ambience. The costume and set design transport you back to the era's vibrant but tense scenes, only to underline the almost surreal calm before the historical storm. The movie makes ample use of illuminating cinematography and music, creating an atmosphere filled with anticipation and hope.

Interestingly, Happy Birthday, Marsha! was made possible largely through crowdfunding, underlining the significance and demand for stories like these that challenge traditional narratives. It underlines the importance of representation and the power of shedding light on the overlooked figures who have made significant contributions to historical events. The film spotlights Johnson and Rivera's strength and dedication to their community and the larger movement, often in the face of adversity.

Through its runtime of just 14 minutes, Happy Birthday, Marsha! illuminates and triumphs these underrepresented narratives, encapsulating the viewer on an emotional journey through the profound moment in LGBTQ+ history. Despite the conflicts and tension that underscore the plot, the film is a celebration of trans lives and the resistance movement. It doesn't shy away from the intersecting oppressions faced by the protagonists, whether its racism, poverty or police brutality, offering an honest, multi-dimensional exploration of their struggles.

However, the film is equally about resilience, hope, and audaciousness. It pays tribute to a vibrant life that did not bow down to societal conventions and norms but stood tall against them. It showcases not just a glamorous birthday party but also a symbol of survival and resistance. It's the celebration that Johnson herself deserves, and a way to remind contemporary audiences of her fearless spirit and contributions.

In conclusion, Happy Birthday, Marsha! is an important piece of queer cinema that rewrites and reclaims history, adding a fresh perspective to a historical event that has often been filtered through a primarily cis-gender, white lens. By recentering the narrative on Marsha P. Johnson and her tireless activism, this film inspires a new appreciation for the queer pioneers of color who bravely made significant contributions to the Stonewall Riots and the gay rights movement at large. This is a film that teaches, touches, and truly celebrates its subject with grace, charm, and heart.