4 Your Eyez Only
Superstar hip-hop artist J. Cole is no stranger to the spotlight. But in his new documentary, “4 Your Eyez Only,” he turns his attention to the everyday heroes of the black community.
Served as the accompanying track to his self-titled album, the film travels across the American South—from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Atlanta, Georgia—and offers a glimpse into how ordinary people live their lives with great courage and resilience. A touching story of struggle.
An elderly woman walks through piles of debris at her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Years after Katrina devastated the area, their home remains in ruins. After the storm, insurance companies were unable to fund extensive repairs. Still, she is determined to rebuild, bit by bit, on her own until her home and life are whole again.
In Ferguson, Missouri, Kerr stood on the street where Michael Brown was shot and killed by an officer. He spoke with Brown’s cousin and reflected on the legacy of activism inspired by his tragic assassination. Others quickly joined the conversation, wondering why government officials in the predominantly black community were overwhelmingly white.
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, a downturn and limited job prospects have hit the community hard. We met a caretaker who rents out rooms to some of the area’s poorest residents for $35 a night. While that’s the lowest price in town, it’s still a steep sum for most renters. Many of them only stay once in a while for a night or two before hitting the road again.
The film is essentially a road documentary mixed with unconventional music videos. Cole’s socially conscious tune rings out between each vignette. These fragments illustrate how elements of reality ultimately influenced his art. Between songs, Cole keeps a low profile, allowing each of his subjects to tell their stories in their own unfiltered language.
Insightful and compassionate, 4 Your Eyez Only is an authoritative voice on issues of racial injustice, black history, gun violence, spirituality, and family.
Directed by: J. Cole, Scott Lazer
