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Unapologetic

Year2020

Runtime86 Minutes

After two Black Chicagoans are killed, millennial organizers challenge an administration complicit in state violence against its residents. Told through the lens of Janaé and Bella, two fierce abolitionist leaders, Unapologetic is a deep look into the Movement for Black Lives, from the police murder of Rekia Boyd to the election of Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Unapologetic captures a tense and polarizing moment in Chicago’s fight for the livelihood of its Black residents. The film follows Janaé and Bella, two young abolitionist organizers, as they work within the Movement for Black Lives to seek justice for Rekia Boyd and Laquan McDonald, two young Black people killed by Chicago police. They aim to elevate a progressive platform for criminal justice to a police board led by Lori Lightfoot and a complicit city administration, while also elevating leadership by women and femmes.

Filmmakers

Editor

Rubin Daniels Jr.

Cinematograper

Ashley O’Shay

Music Composition and Arrangement

Sam Trump

Associate Producer

Ethan Senser
Natalie Frazier

Additional Camera

Tom Callahan
Chan C. Smith
Dakota Sillyman
Hannie Lee

Additional Footage Courtesy

Tom Callahan
Nastaya Popov
Courtney Kang
Hangda Zhang
Jacob Klippenstein

Field Sound

Nick Clemente

Assistant Editor

Amber Love
Tom Callahan

Story Consultant

Alexandria Bombach
Olivia Peace

Post-Production

Third Beacon

Color Correction

Framestore

Graphics and Animation

J. Monroe Media

Sound Facility Producer

Sidney Jones

Music Soundtrack Recording Studio

Superlative Muzak Inc.

Music Soundtrack Engineering and Instrumentation

Sam Trump

Media

Awards and Distinctions

American Black Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Blackstar Film Festival

Official Selection

World Premiere

2020

Chagrin Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Cinema Africa Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Frameline 44

Official Selection

2020

Heartland International Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Image+Nation Montreal LGBTQ Film Festival

Winner

Shout Out Resistane Award

2020

Indie Memphis Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival

Official Selection

International Premiere

2020

Melanin Pride Festival

Official Selection

2020

Milwaukee Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Montclair Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

St.John's International Women's Film Festival

Official Selection

2020

Unorthodocs

Official Selection

2020