I'm from the UK so although we do have police brutality it is just on a completely different level and scale to what you see in the US.
This documentary clearly leans in bias against the police officers and prosecutors involved but it doesn't not give them a voice at all.
I found it very interesting just how polarised the States are when it comes to race and police relations and how it is dealt with. I didnt agree with the underlying suggestion that the entire Cleveland Police Dept are all crooked, which is just ridiculous, and they did seem to find the very worst 'spokeperson' for them in terms of the union guy. On the other hand i found it incredibly disturbing watching footage of incidents and then the video testimonies of the officers involved; how some just blatantly lied or exaggerated the truth, especially in the case of the poor boy who basically got 'drive-byed' by the Police. And how they are not compelled to give testimonies to the court when they are the ones carrying out the law enforcement and should be made to explain and be held accountable for their actions. The fact that a bunch of people upholding the law and carrying lethal weapons can take the 5th when it comes to their job of protecting civilians is just crazy to me. But what would I know!
Anyway in terms of watchability it was good, and kept a good pace and movement between both sides of the argument. I prefer documentaries that dont have a bias so I can make my own mind up, i lose interest when I feel like I'm being led into a conclusion (not that I didnt agree with the overall message of accountability), but it was still an interesting watch.
This documentary clearly leans in bias against the police officers and prosecutors involved but it doesn't not give them a voice at all.
I found it very interesting just how polarised the States are when it comes to race and police relations and how it is dealt with. I didnt agree with the underlying suggestion that the entire Cleveland Police Dept are all crooked, which is just ridiculous, and they did seem to find the very worst 'spokeperson' for them in terms of the union guy. On the other hand i found it incredibly disturbing watching footage of incidents and then the video testimonies of the officers involved; how some just blatantly lied or exaggerated the truth, especially in the case of the poor boy who basically got 'drive-byed' by the Police. And how they are not compelled to give testimonies to the court when they are the ones carrying out the law enforcement and should be made to explain and be held accountable for their actions. The fact that a bunch of people upholding the law and carrying lethal weapons can take the 5th when it comes to their job of protecting civilians is just crazy to me. But what would I know!
Anyway in terms of watchability it was good, and kept a good pace and movement between both sides of the argument. I prefer documentaries that dont have a bias so I can make my own mind up, i lose interest when I feel like I'm being led into a conclusion (not that I didnt agree with the overall message of accountability), but it was still an interesting watch.