"Injustice" Documentary Screening

Brooklyn, NY, April 24, 2004

"Injustice" is a film about the struggles for justice by the families of black people that have died in police custody in the UK. The film documents a five-year period when the families of Brian Douglas, Joy Gardner, Shiji Lapite, Roger Sylvester and Ibrahima Sey come together to fight for justice. "Injustice" presents evidence that serving police officers in the UK have committed crimes of manslaughter and murder.Film Background

"Injustice" took seven years to produce. Since its launch in July 2001 the police tried to censor the film. The Police Federation and individual police officers threatened legal action at cinemas and at the film makers who refused to stop screening the film and instead took it on a national tour showing it anywhere they could. The audience took over one cinema and projected the film when the cinema manager, under threat of the police, refused to. Critically acclaimed in its own right, Injustice also gained press and news coverage across all national channels as well as on CNN.



"Injustice" has been described as the most politically controversial film of recent years. It has moved cinema audiences to tears and inspired others to action with its portrayal of the struggles for justice by the families of people who have died at the hands of police officers.



All television broadcasters in the UK have refused to show the film, in April 2002 the film was projected onto the Channel Four Television building in protest at their censorship. Injustice has gained an international reputation and has been screened at over 30 film festivals around the world. Since November 2001 the British Film Institute have been distributing the film around regional film theatres. The film is also running commercially at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square. Countless community screening have be held across the UK. The film makers and families hold Q&A sessions at all screenings. The controversy around Injustice has also created a good audience for the film.

"Injustice" was nominated for an Index On Censorship Award and won Best Documentary at the BFM International Film Festival in 2002, a National Social Justice Award in 2003 and won Best Documentary (Human Rights) at the One World Film Festival 2003.


"Injustice" has been screened in the European Parliament generating a debate by politicians there. The scandal that Injustice exposes, and opposes, has caused deep concern in the UK and has forced a political reaction to these human rights abuses. As a result of the film the Attorney General was forced to announce a review of the role of the Crown Prosecution Service. The families of victims of police brutality are using the film as a powerful weapon to demand justice.



(98minutes/2001/Cert:15)


** Winner Best Documentary - BFM London Film Festival 2002

** Winner National Social Justice Award 2003

** Winner Best Documentary (Human Rights) - One World Film Festival 2003


THE FILM THE POLICE DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE!

On its release in April 2001 the Police Federation and individual police officers tried to suppress the film through threats of legal action.  The police claim the film is an incitement to riot and that it libels the police officers involved in the deaths. Since it's first public showing Injustice has had hundreds of screenings in cinemas, film festivals, community centres and universities. Despite continuing to screen the film the police have not taken any legal action to defend their names in court. All television channels in the UK have refused to broadcast the film.

Saturday 24th April 2004

Spike Lee Screening Room

Long Island University

One University Plaza, Brooklyn

5 PM screening as part of the

Merciless Film Series

For detailed information including reviews, articles and screenings log on to: Injustice Film