deadCENTER Film Festival Movie Review: “Love Free or Die”

Rating: 81

“Love Free or Die” first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, and the coordinator of deadCENTER knew he had to get it the moment he saw it.

It follows Gene Robinson, the first gay bishop of the Episcopal Church in some of his more vulnerable moments. The documentary starts at the Lambeth Conference, a once-in-a-decade gathering of bishops of the Anglican Church worldwide. Robinson is the only one not invited.

The documentary, unlike other documentaries about Robinson, focuses more on the church and its stance on homosexuality than it focuses on Robinson’s sexuality.

That is not to say that the documentary altogether does not clearly support Gene Robinson and the Episcopal Church’s move to allow gay bishops. From the moment Robinson is uninvited to the Lambeth conference to the moment the Episcopal Church votes to not only allow gay bishops but also to support and host same-sex marriages in churches where it is legal, there is overwhelmingly a sense of support for the gay community.

Still, it features interviews from a diverse group of bishops, including the first female bishop. There are moments that showcase approval of allowing gay bishops, and there are moments where bishops who disagree get their screen time as well. It is very well balanced.