In a time when white-on-black violence is constantly in the news, 3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets‘s release is appropriately timed, and extremely moving. This documentary recounts the story that made headlines back in 2012 when unarmed black teenager Jordan Davis was shot by a drunken white male. The confrontation began because the white man, Michael Dunn, told Davis’ car with four black teenagers in it to turn down their music. The music they were blasting out of this small sedan was rap.
Aside from its cultural relevance, a major highlight of this film is the range of emotions it puts one through. It’s easy to feel anger towards the bigots in this country; Racism is a serious issue and to see teenagers struggle firsthand with this is very sad.
However, it is gratifying to see that justice was served in this case. Although nothing can ever completely right the wrongful death of an innocent boy, it will restore hope in our judicial system knowing that the shooter is incarcerated.
It feels like director Marc Silver, who is a white male, geared this film towards the white community as a sort of reflection piece.
It feels like director Marc Silver, who is also a white male, geared this film towards the white community as a sort of reflection piece. 3 1/2 Minutes has an obvious bias towards the victim, there is never a point when I felt sympathy for Michael Dunn or thought that he deserved anything less than life in prison.
The film would have benefitted from highlighting the life of Jordan Davis a little bit more. Although most of the film was about the aftermath of the situation and the effects it had on his family and his community in Florida, I would have liked to know more about Jordan as a person. As a teenager with his whole life ahead of him, I’m sure he had many aspirations and his peers and family members would have been the gateway to discovering the real Jordan Davis, beyond what we’ve read in the headlines.
I am a white male that has never been involved with gangs or violence, but I enjoy listening to rap music, the very same thing Davis lost his life over. Having someone tell me to turn down the music I was listening to in my car would make me want to listen to it louder. Stereotypical rap lyrics include mentions of assault, drugs, and violence, so I can understand the hate that many people have towards this genre of music. However, one person’s musical preference, regardless of race, should never result in death.
3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets opens this Friday at the Landmark Nuart Theater.
