The critically acclaimed movie "Brother to Brother" opens this month in several cities. The movie, which invokes the glory days of the Harlem Reinassance, has been recognized by the Sundance Film Festival and numerous gay and lesbian film festivals.

Perry, a young Black gay artist played by Anthony Mackie (8 mile), is thrown out of his house after his parents learn of a sexual encounter with another man. He finds himself homeless and struggling to balance his life, and come to terms with being gay.

With the guidance of an older man named Marcus (Larry Gilliard, Jr.), Perry goes on a literal and metaphorical journey to the house that was known as "Niggeratti Manor", the creative center for the younger, rebellious generation of the Harlem Renaissance as they created their revolutionary literary journal, "Fire!". We are transported through the landscape of Bruce's memories of 1930's Harlem. Perry begins to recognize this era as his history. He sees the pride that Bruce exuded in those times in terms of being Black, gay and unashamed.

Starting November 5th Cinema Village New York City (Manhattan) 22 East 12th Street (212) 924-3363 For dates in other cities click here.

Brother to Brother is the first feature-length narrative drama that deals with this rich cultural time period. Many notable writers and artists are featured in the movie including Wallace Thurman, Zora Neale Hurston, Aaron Douglas, and of course Langston Hughes.

Langston Hughes is skillfully portrayed by Daniel Sunjata. Sunjata currently appears in the FX series "Rescue Me". This is the second major gay role for Sunjata. He was nominated for a 2003 Tony Award for his starring role in the Broadway production of Take Me Out, in which he portrayed a gay professional baseball player.

Director Rodney Evans went to great measures to portray Hughes and other historical figures accurately. Evans, who is known for his documentary films, was well suitedfor this task: "I read a vast amount of material related to the Harlem Renaissance and completed several drafts of the script. Some of the historical material included 'When Harlem Was In Vogue' by David Levering Lewis, Eric Garber's essay 'A Spectacle in Color: The Lesbian and Gay Subculture of Jazz Age Harlem' and 'Infants of The Spring' by Wallace Thurman."

But this movie is far from just history, or an accounting of racism and homophobia in the thirties. Rather it is a stirring story of community, and belonging and growth. Evans believes this will have appeal to all audiences: ", I believe the quest for a meaningful identity and an original and truthful artistic voice is a universal theme that resonates on a global level."