A powerful and visually stunning tribute to a true icon, I Was Born This Way is as inspiring as it is essential. Carl Bean’s story reminds us that being yourself — loudly, proudly, and lovingly — can be the greatest legacy of all.
Reviewed @ouchmagazine/RM
I Was Born This Way is more than a documentary — it’s a celebration of purpose, resilience, and radical love. Through the life of Archbishop Carl Bean, directors Daniel Junge and Sam Polland crafted a moving and electrifying portrait of a man who transformed pain into power and made history doing so. It’s a film that pulses with joy even as it tackles trauma, prejudice, and the devastating toll of the AIDS crisis.
From his turbulent childhood in Baltimore to the bright lights of New York and Hollywood, Carl Bean’s journey is remarkable not only for its milestones, but for the sheer authenticity with which he lived his truth. The film traces his evolution from gospel prodigy to Motown disco pioneer, highlighting the release of “I Was Born This Way” — a bold, affirming anthem that broke barriers for queer representation in music long before it was safe or celebrated.
Daniel Junge and Sam Polland doesn’t just document Bean’s music career; They illuminate the courageous pivot he made at the height of that success. In response to the AIDS epidemic and the neglect of communities of color, Bean left the spotlight to found the Minority AIDS Project and the Unity Fellowship Church, creating sanctuaries of care and dignity when few others would. His activism — deeply spiritual and unapologetically inclusive — reveals a man who was not only ahead of his time, but whose work continues to resonate today.
One of the film’s most striking creative choices is its use of rotoscope animation — a bold visual style that brings both memories and internal experiences to life in a vibrant, almost dreamlike way. This artistic approach, paired with rich archival footage and soulful music, creates a dynamic rhythm that reflects both Bean’s creative spirit and the Cultural Revolution he helped lead.
Interviews with icons like Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Dionne Warwick, and Questlove add emotional depth and cultural context, underscoring the magnitude of Bean’s influence on art, activism, and the LGBTQ+ community. But the film always returns to its beating heart: Bean himself — warm, honest, and resolute in his belief that love is the most radical act.
