'America You Kill Me,' about gay rights activist Jeffrey Montgomery, to open Freep Film Festival

The life and legacy of Jeffrey Montgomery, who fought for LGBTQ rights in Michigan and across the country, will take center stage at the 2020 Freep Film Festival.

"America You Kill Me," which looks back at Montgomery's life's work of ending violence against LBGTQ people, will open the documentary film festival, presented by the Detroit Free Press, on April 22 at the Fillmore Detroit.

Montgomery's activism started after his boyfriend was shot and killed outside of a Detroit bar in1985. Montgomery says he learned that police were not going to investigate the murder because it was "just another gay killing."

Montgomery, a Grosse Pointe native, went on to found the Triangle Foundation, which became one of the largest and most influential gay rights organizations in the country.

“This was a guy standing up for his community at a time when it was legitimately dangerous to do, and doing it with a grin,” said filmmaker Daniel Land, in the release announcing the screening. In an interview, Land described Montgomery as being so charismatic that he knew "people would enjoy spending a couple of hours with him."

Land worked closely with Montgomery's older brother John, who helped convince Montgomery to share his story. John Montgomery, he said, is "the reason this project got started."

Among the people who talk about Montgomery's legacy in the film are former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“Jeffrey Montgomery is the type of compelling, charismatic character who nearly jumps off the screen,” Steve Byrne, executive director of Freep Film Festival, said in a news release. “But more important, his life is the stuff of a Hollywood script. There are challenges, setbacks, victories and personal demons. ‘America You Kill Me’ captures them all, while making it crystal clear why his story remains highly relevant in 2020.”

The festival, in its seventh year, features films with a strong connection to the issues, people and places in and around Detroit and Michigan. "America You Kill Me," will be among more than 70 screenings and events during the festival, which runs April 22-26.

'America You Kill Me'

Freep Film Festival Opening Night

Doors at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

General admission $20 in advance, reserved seating $25, VIP $75 (includes VIP seating and admission to 6 p.m. reception). Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com. Festival passes, which include opening night admission, are on sale now at freepfilmfestival.com.

Freep Film Festival

April 22-26

Venues in Detroit and suburbs.

Full lineup announced in mid-March.

Watch the trailer for 'America You Kill Me'