Love Free or Die

This touching and remarkable documentary focuses on a couple of years in the life of Gene Robinson, a recently-retired New Hampshire bishop in the Episcopal church. Before stepping down at age 65 in January 2013, the openly gay Robinson fought an uphill battle in the larger Anglican Communion—a worldwide body of 80 million members, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury—for inclusion in the global church's leadership organization. Robinson also worked hard, alongside many others, for the church's recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions. Award-winning filmmaker Macky Alston's Love Free or Die begins with Robinson's uninvited presence near a major Anglican conference for bishops in Britain, where he is hoping to speak to any group willing to listen, accepting one parish's invitation to do so, which results in a tense confrontation that is quickly dissolved by Robinson's compassion and charm. Back in the U.S., the film captures Robinson's popularity among his New Hampshire flock, including many formerly skeptical individuals won over simply by getting to know Robinson and his low-key partner. While there is a lot of drama and suspense revolving around a national conference for the Episcopalian church—in which measures related to LGBT rights are on the table—mostly this is an enlightening profile of a wonderful man, a lightning rod who has helped bring progress to the cause of equality. DVD extras include deleted scenes. A Special Jury Prize winner at the Sundance Film Festival, this is highly recommended. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $249 from Kino Lorber Edu (www.kinolorberedu.com).] Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)