Published in encore magazine July 12, 2016

“The two shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile show that we are still in a system of racism,” local filmmaker Christopher Everett (“Wilmington on Fire”) says about the two men most recently shot and killed by police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota. He reflects upon the unimaginable sniper shooting at a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, too—one of hundreds, if not thousands, held last Wednesday across the country in response to the murders of Sterling and Castile. Five police officers were killed and several others were injured.

“Tragic events like this are nothing new,” Everett continues. “Black people in America have been victims of this type of police use of deadly force [for years], but now the whole world is seeing it because of cell phone technology and social media. .  . . Films like ‘Out of Darkness’ examine and discuss what has just happened (police use of deadly force).”

“Out of Darkness” is a three-part documentary by director Amadeuz Christ (Δ+) which explores the history of African people, African cultural contributions to the world, and the events that led to issues impacting African-American communities today. Because of the support and reception he had for “Wilmington on Fire” last year, Everett is hosting a screening of “Out of Darkness” at Williston Middle School Auditorium on July 16.

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