whistlerfilm's video: A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL WFF20

Directed and written by Aimee Long, starring Kenny Leu, Ciara Renée and Tzi Ma. Inspired by a true event, this is a balanced account of an Asian American police officer who accidentally discharges his weapon during an investigation, killing a black teenager through an apartment wall. The case quickly spirals out of control as Black Lives Matter and other organizations pounce on the incident as yet another example of police racial bias. His fellow cops and unions initially tell him that there is nothing to worry about, but the politics take on a life of their own, and he is soon left to his own devices. His own fiancée is an African American woman, so presumably he cannot be racist. But his reluctance to involve her in the case and use her as part of a PR defence unleashes a series of mishandled opportunities for him to defend himself. At first, the film seems to play as a very sympathetic view of the men in blue. But the dramatic ending may lead to a rethinking of how A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL views very complex matters of law enforcement. Balanced and thoughtful, this very topical American Indie film tries to show various sides of the ongoing conflict between the men in blue and people of colour. Vancouver’s Tzi Ma does a great job as Officer Mike’s father, a man who doesn’t believe in bucking the system. Aimee Long’s first feature should generate vigorous debate on both sides of the polarizing police systemic bias issue. For tickets to the online screening: https://whistlerfilmfestival.com/tickets/