“You should know why I’m teaching you how to fight. To protect yourself. ‘Cause nowadays people don’t fight. They like to shoot.” The state of race relations in America has been a subject of films for decades. But with the rise and deeper examination of police brutality, and the lack of justice afforded to Black communities, there is still so much to bear witness to. Many more truths that must be told.
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Filmmaker Roberto Minervini (“The Other Side,” “Low Tide“) sets out to share some of these stories with his latest documentary, “What You Gonna Do When The World’s On Fire?” From what we can glean from the trailer, Minervini’s film will tackle the past within the confines of the present. Examining the history of America’s disregard of African Americans and the voices of protest igniting a path to a more reflective future.
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Distributed by The Match Factory, Minervini’s ‘World’s On Fire’ meditation on race in America was selected for the 75th Venice International Film Festival. Set to premiere in the first few days of competition, Minervini’s documentary will be one to look for when it hits American theaters at the end of September.
About “What You Gonna Do When The World’s On Fire?”, the director discussed his motivations, saying, “Moved by anger and fear, people wanted to get a chance to tell their stories out loud. I hope that this film can facilitate a much-needed discussion on race and the current plight of African Americans who, now more than ever, are witnessing the intensification of hate crimes and discriminatory policies.”
Here are the official trailer and synopsis for “What You Gonna Do When The World’s On Fire?”
Summer 2017, a string of brutal police killings of young African American men has sent shockwaves throughout the country. A Black community in the American South tries to cope with the lingering effects of the past and navigate their place in a country that is not on their side. Meanwhile, the Black Panthers prepare a large-scale protest against police brutality. A blistering meditation on the state of race in America.
Check out all our coverage from the 2018 Venice Film Festival here.