Light Up is an intimate documentary that focuses on the lives of five people in Atlanta—four Black gay men and one Black transgender woman. It’s a really personal look at their backstories and how they’ve dealt with prejudice and mental health struggles because they felt they had to hide who they truly were. The big thing they all share is that every person interviewed has found a way to push through those hard times. Now, they're all at a place where they feel totally comfortable being themselves and speaking their truth. The five people sharing their journeys are Simone Tisci, Derek Jae, Octavius Terry, Obio Jones, and Benjamin Carlton. Derek Jae is already pretty well-known from reality TV, while Simone Tisci is a successful makeup artist who is now working on breaking into acting. Then there’s Octavius Terry, who used to be a record-breaking track and field star. He actually cut his athletic career short because he was so scared his coaches and teammates would find out he was ...
This film was short and touching. I watched it with my boyfriend and he was really touched by it. The film reminded me of another film that I recently saw in terms of a guy trying to mend relations with the mom of his estranged lover. Cal is an upcoming writer in New York who falls in love with Andre, an aspiring actor. Andre's mother knowing everything still fails to acknowledge that Andre is gay. When she visits to NY from Texas, Andre has to go for an audition forcing her to spend sometime with Cal. She has a hard time dealing with her son's relationship and lifestyle, despite Cal's efforts to become her friend. Andre's grandmother on the other hand is more accepting but her daughter is intransigent in her disapproval. Andre finally falls prey to Aids which further creates rift between Cal and Andre. It kills Cal to see that Andre's mother still would not acknowledge him and maybe blame him for what happened. After the funeral, an emotional outburst from Cal forces Andre's mother to finally look and accept that her son was different and she needs to appreciate the love he shared.
Decent acting by lead cast, the film focussed very much on its theme. There were no unnecessary side plots. Cal's desperation was very evident in trying to make Andre's mother accept him as well as her own son for what he is. Unfortunately by the time it happens, it is too late.
Heart touching and a warm film. (5.5/10)
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