This New York-set drama from 2020 was directed by Lanie Zipoy who died last year aged 49; it was on the ball in grappling with Black Lives Matter themes of systemic racism and white liberal guilt. The Subject poses thorny questions about the ethics of documenting marginalised black communities and what constitutes rightful representation – but proceeds at a dogged pace more suited to the stage (it’s written by playwright Chisa Hutchinson) and is perhaps a little too crude in setting up the character assassination of its hypocritical protagonist.
American Pie’s Jason Biggs plays Phil Waterhouse, an award-winning documentary director feted for his harrowing latest work, whose subject, wannabe gang member Malcolm (Nile Bullock), was beaten to death in front of the camera. Phil has reaped the benefits: a swanky apartment, where he cosies up with Latina girlfriend Jess (Anabelle Acosta), and a burgeoning career with a major TV series about ghetto life on the way. He seems smoothly post-racial, kicking it with the corner boys and extolling the superiority of “real” bodega coffee. But he has a self-flagellating secret: obsessively watching footage of Malcolm, stung by a blogger’s accusation that he failed in his film-maker’s duty of care.
