A new documentary film, Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd, is set for release five years after the event that ignited global protests. Commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer, the film examines Floyd’s murder, the worldwide reaction, and the subsequent counter-movement.
Here’s the Lowdown: Produced by Rogan Productions (Uprising), the film features interviews with key figures, including members of George Floyd’s family and Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who testified against the officer responsible. It also includes perspectives from UK cultural figures like Nathalie Emmanuel and Munya Chawawa. The film has a UK theatrical release from May 9 before airing on BBC Two and iPlayer later in the month.
What This Means Now: Backlash focuses not only on the events in the US but also explores the specific impact in the UK. It looks at how Floyd’s death brought UK instances of police brutality into the spotlight and how social media fueled protests, while also documenting the rise of opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Bigger Picture: Director Kwabena Oppong aims to uncover the “deeper story” behind the summer of 2020, questioning the extent of lasting change. Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning for Documentaries, positions the film as using personal testimony to examine seismic events and consider lessons learned five years later, reflecting on its meaning for the present and future.
