Educational Media Reviews Online

The judge says it best, near the end of this layered documentary. “There are no winners here.” So is the story of Claude Motley, Nathan King, and in a broader sense, the city of Milwaukee. Claude Motley’s life takes an unexpected turn when he is shot in the face by a carjacker. Although he survives the attack, he is left with complicated emotions about the experience, especially when learning his shooter was a 15-year-old young Black man - Nathan King, who is not terribly dissimilar from himself. The viewer follows Claude’s extensive recovery from this violent act - physically, emotionally, professionally, and financially. The complexities of the justice system are intimately illustrated through interviews and unobtrusive observations, home movies and photographs. It does not shy away from the added complexities of the justice system for a Black man and Black families - both victim and perpetrator. There are no easy answers for anyone in this situation.

This film tells its story in a gripping and focused way, having footage from very shortly after the attack through sentencing, and eventually through the beginning of healing, in every sense. Through the stories of the victims as well as the family of Nathan King, the documentary tells the story of a justice system that while seemingly trying to get it right in this case, is dealing with the effects of systematic racism that leaves millions of young Black men in prison. It tells the story of the attempted recovery of everyone involved in violent crime, navigating a myriad of systems that seem to be fighting against them at every turn. And it tells the story of a city in the grips of poverty, racism, and violence. As one person interviewed in the film succinctly states, “Milwaukee preys on its young Black men.” This film is highly recommended for high school students through a general adult audience.

Awards:
2022 Emmy Winner for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking

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