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 ...
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 gay, but he ended up finding a new path as a high-end suit maker for Hollywood events. Obio is more of an everyday guy who fought hard to live life on his own terms. Finally, we meet Ben, who tried to hide his identity by diving deep into the church. He went so far that he became a homophobic preacher, which led him down a dark road of self-hatred until he finally made the tough call to come out.
Watching these interviews and hearing about how these five grew up is something I bet almost anyone can relate to in some way. You really feel the weight of what they went through, but it’s also comforting to see them reach a point where they can finally be honest. A huge theme in the movie is how important community is, whether that’s the family you’re born into or the one you choose for yourself. There are some really powerful scenes showing a mix of drama, pain, and healing. Even though some parts are sad, there’s still a lot of humor and a ton of positivity. Everyone on screen is charming and easy to listen to, and honestly, it doesn't hurt that a few of them are really good-looking! The director doesn't try to make them look like victims; instead, he treats them like heroes—just regular people who found something special by being honest. The film hits on big topics like masculinity, bullying, racism, and how to handle the pressure of a world that feels like it’s rooting against you.
This documentary is really just a celebration of life and the quiet power of being exactly who you are. It's a great pick for anyone who loves hearing real, raw stories about the human experience. (6.5/10)
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