One of my all time favorites.

An Exercise In Nonsense

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

A MUST SEE if you're interested in gay history, Mardi Gras, civil rights or fabulous outfits. The official history of New Orleans' gay community. This film is an important document in the history of New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes, as well a significant testament of the life of homosexuals in America before the gay rights movement. Told at an important moment, the members of the original gay Krewes tell how they cleverly organized the first gay groups that would be recognized by politicians, while throwing fantastic balls with outrageous costumes. This shows the New Orleans gay community lived their truth, changed their community for the better, and looked glamorous while doing it. Hilarious and touching!

As someone who grew up in the Big Easy, watching The Sons of Tennessee Williams, was exciting and emotional. The film captures what the carnival season means for so many of us who lived the magic of Mardi Gras every year. I loved how the film shows the extreme importance of family and culture from the time we were small children through adulthood. My friends will now understand how our carnival season is just as important to us as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any other major holiday is important to them. The film accurately goes back in time to an era of injustice and discrimination. Go see this film with friends for a bit of New Orleans history that has been rarely portrayed in such a caring and loving way.

Tim Wolff's documentary serves well to fill in some of the blanks in gay liberation history, and does so in a delightfully entertaining and often comical way, setting it apart from the norm. It also provides a little seen view of Carnival Krewe activities behind the scenes, and highlights traditions of costuming in extremes that are shared by many other New Orleans krewes and social aid and pleasure clubs. On a personal note, it records the lives and memories of many old friends and acquaintances who survived the AIDS epidemic of the 80's and 90's, as well as sharing stories of some of the more prominent members of the scene back then who succumbed during those painful years. Tim shines a poignant light of reverence, respect, and love on these early pioneers of gay liberation in the South. Well worth watching and has universal appeal, as do the now popular gay clubs of New Orleans.