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| A scene from the “RIOT” documentary by Kevin McLaughlin (Rainmaker Entertainment) |
Urban News Staff Reports
The documentary, “Riot” by filmmaker Kevin McLaughlin explores the causes and long-term effects of the five days of rioting in Newark in 1967 that left 26 people dead and destroyed a large portion of the city.
McLaughlin, native of Newark, worked on the documentary for five years. “Riot” is narrated by Emmy-winner Andre Braugher and features interviews with every mayor elected in Newark since 1967, including current US Senator Cory Booker. Dozens of other witnesses, first-responders, historians, and community activists are also included.
The documentary includes new footage to reflect the current volatile times — and features exclusive footage about the #BlackLivesMatter movement and other civil unrest across the country. In so doing, McLaughlin hopes that his film will open a larger discussion and be a watershed moment in both the film industry and the world.
“I can’t think of any film more fitting for what’s going on in the world today,” said Jerry Nardella of Rainmaker Management, the executive producers of the film. “The similarities between 1967 and today are both amazing and very sad.”