#blacklivesmatter: Films

Are racists born or made? Pioneering scientists have recently revealed that they can detect whether a person is subconsciously racist through a series of tests that are as ground-breaking as they are simple to do. This fascinating and revealing documentary showcases the latest scientific developments that can detect, measure, and change racist impulses in the brain.

In 2013 in Sanford, Florida, vigilante George Zimmerman was found not guilty of the murder of 17-year-old African American Trayvon Martin. As a result, the struggle against police violence flared up under the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and turned into one of the biggest grassroots movements in the United States. This film interviewed co-founder Patrisse Cullors about the various forms of violence against black citizens, and why resistance is essential.

In the wake of the 2015 death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, Baltimore was a city on the edge. Peaceful protests and destructive riots erupted in the immediate aftermath of Gray’s death, reflecting the deep divisions between authorities and the community—and underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation. Directed by Sonja Sohn, one of the stars of the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, Baltimore Rising follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates who struggle to hold Baltimore together while the city awaits the fate of the six police officers involved in the incident. The inspiring, 93-minute film chronicles the determined efforts of people on all sides who fight for justice and a better city, sometimes coming together in unexpected ways and discovering a common humanity. Thought-provoking and timely, Baltimore Rising exposes the strife that gripped Baltimore following Freddie Gray’s death, and highlights the city’s determination to rise above longstanding fault lines in a distraught and damaged community.

Reporter Sally Sara takes to the streets of Baltimore and Chicago to investigate a reawakened civil rights movement that’s fighting to stop the killing of black Americans.