From Brussels to New York City, the screams and chants of passionate protesters echoed across the world. They seek to expose the continued dominance of institutional racism and push for meaningful law enforcement reform. It all follows what many find to be disgusting acts of racially motivated violence. The Sky News-produced documentary 8’46: The Death of George Floyd documents the devastating event, the public outcry it sparked and the social adjustment it may have brought.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed by an arresting officer in Minnesota during a routine arrest of a suspect following reports of a minor criminal incident. The officer put his knee firmly on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as he begged for his life. The autopsy ruled the incident a homicide and concluded that Floyd likely died of cardiac arrest within the final three minutes of that encounter.
Public outcry began to mount when cellphone video of the incident was leaked to the media. Within hours, protesters took to the streets to express their disdain for yet another killing of a black man involving police. This recent occurrence is not uncommon in American culture. It reflects a long and painful history of racism that goes back to the country’s roots. But the activism that sprung up in the immediate aftermath of the event felt rife with new possibilities. How will a new generation take the fight for equality to the next level?
The film examines current conversations surrounding these important issues, including the guilt of those in power who foment racial conflict, the power of ordinary citizens to affect change, and the need to rethink the role of law enforcement in communities of color.
8:46: The death of George Floyd is narrated by actor Idris Elba and features interviews with prominent racial equality activists.
Directed by: Gilberte Phanor, Toby Sculthorp
