I’ve been following the events in Ferguson MO over the past week like everyone and, like everyone with a conscience and who knows how to think—and which even includes certain conservatives—, have been appalled by its only-in-America character. In following the events—which, being in the US at present, I’ve been able to do on cable TV—I have been reminded of this pertinent film, directed by the 26-year-old Ryan Coogler, that I saw last January, when it opened in Paris. It’s about the shooting and killing by a police officer of a 22-year-old black male named Oscar Grant III—who did absolutely nothing to invite being shot and killed—in Oakland CA on New Year’s Eve 2008-09, at the Fruitvale BART station, and which led to civil disturbances over the subsequent days (for details of what happened, go here). [UPDATE: Here are mobile phone videos taken of the actual incident by passengers on the BART train (h/t Ellis Goldberg)]. The film, taking some dramatic license, reconstructs the day of Oscar’s life that preceded his killing, of his somewhat unstable life relationship and employment-wise, but depicting him as a basically good guy who strove to lead a normal life and absolutely did not deserve to suffer violent death. It all goes to show that merely being a young black male in America and going about your life can get you shot and killed by the police, and even in the deepest of blue states. So if you want to see a movie that is both good—reviews were tops—and topical, see this one (which should have, by all rights, received Oscar nominations but did not). Trailer is here.
BTW, when I wrote above that the Ferguson events presently underway were “only-in-America,” I did not mean to imply that America is exceptional when it comes to racist cops behaving badly toward members of visible minority groups. This happens in many countries, including France, of course (I’ve had so many posts on this that they need not be linked to). What is only-in-America—among advanced Western democracies, at least—is the trigger-happiness of the police, of the sheer number of unarmed visible minority young men they kill. À propos, here’s a commentary in The Economist magazine I just read on the militarized “Trigger happ[iness]” of the American police, which so contrasts from its counterparts in Great Britain. And contrasting with another major Western democracy, here’s an item from two years ago on how “German police fired just 85 bullets total in 2011,” compared with the
84 shots [that] were fired at one murder suspect in Harlem, and another 90 at an unarmed man in Los Angeles.
In France the police are thoroughly racist and odious. And their behavior regularly provokes riots by youthful members of visible minorities. So how many people do the police kill during such occurrences? In the biggest recent riots of all—over three weeks in October-November 2005—the number of persons killed was exactly two (and neither by bullets). Case closed.
In the interests of fairness and balance—and not to make the police look all bad—, I saw a quite good indy pic back in late ’12, ‘End of Watch’, directed by David Ayer, of a couple of buddy cops in East L.A. trying to do their job and who have to deal with, entre autres, Mexican criminal gangs whose proclivity for violence far exceeds anything any US police department would be capable of. Roger Ebert’s four-star review thus began
“End of Watch” is one of the best police movies in recent years, a virtuoso fusion of performances and often startling action. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña are Taylor and Zavala, two Los Angeles street cops who bend a few rules but must be acknowledged as heroes. After too many police movies about officers who essentially use their badges as licenses to run wild, it’s inspiring to realize that these men take their mission — to serve and protect — with such seriousness they’re willing to risk their lives.
Salon’s Andrew O’Hehir, who called the pic “An all-time cop-movie classic,” also got it right. It’s a violent film, that’s for sure, but may absolutely be seen. Trailer is here.
UPDATE: My mother has a review (June 30, 2015) of ‘Fruitvale Station’ on her blog here.
Nice post, Arun! Now this movie seems more timely than ever and just goes to show you that the times may never change. No matter how much hope we all may have.
Thanks. Nice movie review blog you have there, BTW (even if I haven’t seen most of the movies you review…).
Hi Arun, this may seem very naïve from me, but I am really surprised that after a full week of police generated chaos, Barack Obama still didn’t feel he should just go to Ferguson to show his concern and talk to the local people to cool things. From the distance… it seems to me like a sensible move… But I’m pissed at the man anyway.
Massilian, it’s interesting that you bring this up. An Obama visit to Ferguson has not been mentioned by anyone here in the US, so far as I know, and didn’t occur to me. I think such a visit – and to say what exactly? – would be most premature at the present time, and also inappropriate. And extremely risky too, both security-wise and politically. The civil disturbances are continuing and we still don’t have all the facts of what happened to Michael Brown. And this is not a federal matter, at least not yet. If such a prolonged event were to transpire in France, the President of the Republic would not go near the troubled zone before order had been restored (and even then). That would be the job of the Minister of Interior, who would likely fly over the area in a helicopter and give pep talks to law enforcement.
Well, indeed, I’m a sorry to read that. Somebody should have the balls to take risks ! This is not just another local situation, it is a highly symbolic one and the whole world is watching. And Obama barely mumbles. He reminds me of Ban Ki Moon saying he is seriously concerned about the situation here or there in the Middle East and that he insists that fighting should stop immediately…
Somebody should have the authority and charisma to speak to the american people according to his own mind without political consideration. Somebody should have the balls to rise over the tumult and speak and be heard. Somebody should point in the right direction.
The image of the US that is being projected to the world is absolutely appalling. Injustice, lies, violence, despicable secrecy, inefficient over militarized police forces, brutality, racism, erratic statements, powerless politicians, I am not talking about foreign policy, I am talking about Missouri. Once again, the whole world is aghast.
I don’t buy you sarcasm regarding the french Ministre de l’Intérieur flying in a helicopter over the area, however mean the french cops can be, at least as you mentioned, they can handle riots much better than in the US and from what I see in Ferguson it isn’t just rioting youth that is infuriated.
Yes, you’re right that the whole world is watching and that this is disastrous for America’s image abroad. The really big issue here – and there are a number of big issues – is the militarization of the police, which many Americans are now only discovering. And, of course, the quick reflex by policemen to shoot to kill. The President needs to speak out on this forcefully and, with Congress, do something about it. I do agree that the French police does handle riots far better than its American counterparts. One thing I have been appalled by is the use in America of rubber bullets. Can you imagine the reaction in France if these were used by the CRS or BAC during banlieue disturbances? Il y aurait un tollé.
Just for the pleasure, may I suggest reading the 9 principles of “Policing by consent” as defined by the Brits in 1829….
Massilian, thanks for this.
Take a look at this satirical piece on “How we’d cover Ferguson if it happened in another country“…
And here’s a pertinent comment by Robert Reich posted on his Facebook page today