Jewel's Catch One
Jewel's Catch One

Movie spotlight

Jewel's Catch One

2017
Movie
84 min
English

With four strikes against her (black, female, poor and a lesbian), our trailblazer, Jewel Thais-Williams, helped changed laws, save lives and influence communities across Los Angeles, California as she opened her legendary nightclub's door for 42 years.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Google Users95%
Director: Chase JoyntGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the legendary Jewel's Catch One, a Los Angeles disco club that served as a vital sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community for 42 years. Founded by Jewel Thais-Williams, the club provided a safe haven during times of intense discrimination and the AIDS epidemic, fostering a vibrant culture of acceptance and celebration. The film explores the club's enduring legacy through the eyes of its patrons and performers, highlighting its role in shaping community and resilience.

Critical Reception

Jewel's Catch One has been widely praised for its poignant and necessary storytelling, celebrating a significant piece of LGBTQ+ history often overlooked. Critics lauded its heartfelt interviews, vibrant archival footage, and the powerful tribute it pays to the resilience and spirit of its community. The film is recognized for its important contribution to documenting queer spaces and the individuals who created them.

What Reviewers Say

  • An essential and moving tribute to a landmark LGBTQ+ institution.

  • Captures the spirit of community, survival, and joy within a vital queer space.

  • Highlights the importance of safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praise "Jewel's Catch One" as an inspiring and important documentary. Reviewers frequently mention the film's emotional depth, its celebration of resilience, and its success in preserving the history of a vital community hub. Many users found it to be a powerful reminder of the significance of safe spaces and the enduring strength of the LGBTQ+ community.

Awards & Accolades

Best Documentary Feature at Outfest Los Angeles 2017, Audience Award for Best Documentary at LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival 2017.

Fun Fact

Jewel Thais-Williams, the owner of the club, is one of the longest-serving Black women to own a business in Los Angeles, having operated Jewel's Catch One for 42 years.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review