The story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator — the originator — Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions. In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself. Throughout his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, sex and rock n’ roll. The world tried to put him in a box, but Richard was an omni being who contained multitudes — he was unabashedly everything. (1h 38m)

“Even if you’re not a fan of Little Richard going into this film, chances are you will be by the time it’s over.” – David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

“This is one of those instances where a film thoughtfully reexamines previously established truths about a musician’s legacy so fervently that it completely upends you.” – Candice Frederick, Huffington Post

“I enjoyed it immensely. And if you didn’t enjoy it, I’m pretty sure Little Richard would tell you to ‘Shut up.’ – Sheri Flanders, Chicago Reader

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