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This documentary about the racial murder of black teenager Yusuf Hawkins in 1989 stems from an acceptable point of view.
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On August 23, 1989, a black teenager named Yusuf K. Hawkins shot dead in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, after being surrounded by an incident of racial violence that has become a lightning rod in New York and beyond. In the wake of George Floyd’s protests, the documentary “Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn” couldn’t be more timely.
Part of the director Muta’Ali’s strategy is to center Hawkins’s friends and family, whose stories got lost in the political din. The Rev. Al Sharpton organized marches; for the mayoral candidates in the 1989 primary, the killing became a talking point. But the competing agendas surrounding the case would prevent anyone from making a cohesive Hawkins documentary, and “Storm Over Brooklyn” never settles on a satisfying point of view.
Muta’Ali illustrates the geography of aerial homicide from the neighborhood streets. Joseph Fama, still in criminal situation after a momentary murder conviction, asserts his innocence in an interview, and Muta’Ali provides a video clip in which a witness appears to retract the testimony involving him; however, the sentence did not allow it. The new account. Was the judgment right or wrong? The film does not provide enough information. Shortly after the video, Muta’Ali shows Hawkins’ friend Christopher Graham, saying Fame gave the impression of having “no remorse” in the courtroom, and leaves the disconnection.
“Storm Over Brooklyn” is most effective when Hawkins’ mother, Diane, talks about her emotional devastation and the feeling that she was on “another planet” at the time, or when one of Hawkins’ friends, Luther Sylvester, recalls the school environment. in the wake of the tragedy.
Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn Scoreless. Running time: 1 hour minutes. Watch it on HBO Max.
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