AFI FEST film review: '40 Years a Prisoner'

(Image courtesy of AFI FEST.)

The sociopolitical documentary '40 Years A Prisoner' (screening during AFI FEST 2020) investigates what really happened during a deadly 1978 siege that captivated a city and sent activists to prison.

In short: As activist Mike Africa Jr. tries to exonerate his imprisoned parents, filmmakers recount the 1978 police raid in Philadelphia commune that ended in the killing of a police officer and the incarceration of revolutionary activists.

Frankly, it's shocking the tense conflict between Philadelphia police and MOVE revolutionaries isn't a wider known historical event. While there are many disappointing and frustrating aspects the events depicted in '40 Years,' it's equally disheartening that this documentary is as eye-opening as it is. There was no cover up. The even took place over the span of weeks and shut down a section of Philadelphia. The fact that a feature-length documentary is required to bring this event back to surface, and investigate whether justice was served is itself discouraging. Its a feeling reminiscent of basically learning about the Tulsa massacre from watching the 'Watchmen' and wondering out loud 'how is this not something we all know about!?'

'40 Years' has two parallel, but interconnected, plot threads: Mike Africa Jr works to get his parents released on parole in the present, while the filmmakers look back at the even that sent his parent to prison in the first place. The documentary intercuts the two plot lines, with the filmmakers primarily following Mike Africa Jr as he works to free his parents, while many people from both sides of the Philadelphia conflict are interviewed to understand what happened in 1978.

This documentary smartly steps back and lets primary sources and archival footage tell the story of the 1978 blockade and criminal investigation that followed. It's one thing to have a documentary imply or allege a police officer used excessive force - it's an entirely different experience to hear the officer in question lament that they should have killed the suspect. Honestly, it's chilling to hear the same sentiments about racial tension, police brutality, and criminal justice bias echoed in today's headlines. While the part of the documentary following Mike Africa Jr gives the film shape and an empathetic heart, helplessly watching the sham trial and everything leading up to it is an unparalleled type of frustration.

Final verdict: As it touches on topics that feel all too current in 2020, '40 Years A Prisoner' find itself entirely too timely and relevant today as it would have been in 1978.

Score: 4/5

'40 Years A Prisoner' screens at AFI FEST. This documentary is unrated and has a running time of 110 minutes.