Gemmel and Tim, dir. Michiel Thomas, 2021, USA, 91m. 👍
Saturday, June 18, 2022, 1:30pm Roxie
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| Gemmel Moore (left) Timothy Dean (right) |
Gemmel and Tim is the story of two Black men who died of drug overdoses in the home of Ed Buck, a gay white man who was a power player in Democratic Party politics in West Hollywood and nationally, and the years-long effort to bring Buck to justice. Gemmel was part of the ballroom community, walking “pretty boy” to considerable success. Tim was a skilled basketball player who competed in the Gay Games. We hear from their families and friends, giving us a picture of who they were as individuals, rather than lifeless statistics.
Ed Buck was a white gay conservative Republican until 1986, when he led the effort to recall Arizona Governor Evan Mecham. Shortly after, Buck switched his registration to Democratic, and became a power player in party politics, relocating to West Hollywood. He also had a particular fondness for bringing Black men to his modest WeHo apartment and shooting them up with crystal meth. That is the point where Buck’s life intersected with Gemmel’s and Tim’s lives. Gemmel and Tim are only two of the men who died in Buck’s home under circumstances the police insisted were “not suspicious,” but it took years of determined action, and another similar death, to finally convict Buck on multiple federal felony charges. The mobilization for justice continued, working to defeat several local politicians who downplayed the case.
Gemmel and Tim is an eloquent memorial to two victims and a testament to the determination to see their killer brought to justice. Highly recommended.
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