Watch Happy Birthday, Marsha!

Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a powerful and revealing biographical drama that tells the story of a legendary transgender artist, activist, and performer Marsha P. Johnson. The movie is directed by Reina Gossett and Sasha Wortzel and stars Eve Lindley as Marsha, Silas Howard as her friend and fellow activist Sylvia Rivera, and Mya Taylor as fierce performer and activist Zaza. Released in 2017, the movie explores the life of Marsha in the days leading up to the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.

The movie is set in New York City in 1969 and follows Marsha, a black transgender woman who works as a street vendor and performs drag shows at various bars and clubs in the city. Marsha is passionate about activism, and her work focuses on advocating for the rights of LGBTQ people, particularly those who are poor and marginalized. Marsha is deeply involved in the Gay Liberation Front, an organization formed to fight for LGBTQ rights, and is a key figure in the underground transgender scene in New York.

The movie portrays Marsha as a brave and outspoken leader, who is unapologetic about her identity and her willingness to fight for the rights of others. Marsha is a complex character, and the movie explores her personal struggles as well, including her complicated relationship with her family and her own sense of identity.

As Marsha prepares for an important performance, she receives news that she has been kicked out of her apartment and has no place to go. In the lead-up to the Stonewall riots, Marsha, Sylvia, and Zaza plan a demonstration to protest police harassment of the LGBTQ community. The climax of the movie is a powerful and emotional reenactment of the Stonewall riots, which were a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a groundbreaking movie that sheds light on the history of the LGBTQ rights movement and the contribution of transgender people to this struggle. The movie is both a celebration of Marsha P. Johnson's life and a call to action for continuing the work that she began. The movie is also a poignant reminder that discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ community are still pervasive, and that the fight for equality is far from over.

The movie is visually stunning, with lush cinematography and beautiful period costumes that capture the spirit of the 1960s. The performances of the three leads are exceptional, with Eve Lindley bringing a raw vulnerability to her portrayal of Marsha, and Silas Howard and Mya Taylor providing strong support as Sylvia and Zaza, respectively.

Overall, Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a powerful and moving tribute to a transgender pioneer, and a vital reminder of the importance of standing up for marginalized communities. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in LGBTQ history, and for anyone who wants to be inspired by the life and legacy of an extraordinary artist and activist.

Happy Birthday, Marsha! is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.