American Crime bravely goes where few shows in Hollywood’s TV industry dare, writes Debashine Thangevelo
WHILE sport has the potential to unify nations, race divides us. And time hasn’t lessened the blow or reduced the intensity of this prejudicial time bomb. It’s easily triggered by one act or comment.
In South Africa, we know how true that latter part is, given the wave of xenophobic attacks. Talk about a royal mess up…
The same can be said of America, with its litany of civil unrests dating back to the 18th century. More recently, Baltimore was turned into a war zone with rioting and looting after the death of Freddy Gray, a 25-year-old African-American, while in police custody.
Last year, people in New York City were up in arms when the grand jury refused to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner, who was arrested on suspicion of selling “loosies” (single cigarettes) from packs without tax stamps. He died from a chokehold.
While some Hollywood filmmakers and TV show creators have explored this contentious subject à la Paul Haggis with Crash and, despite its prison alcove, Tom Fontana’s Oz, others steer clear.
Yes, racism-driven story arcs surfaced in commercial series like Law & Order, Southland, The Shield and so on. But it was more of an acknowledgement of, we know this happens, let’s acknowledge it, but not stir the hornet’s nest at the same time.
As such, TV shows commonly drift towards the comedic approach, which goes back to Diff’rent Strokes to, on a more local front, Suburban Bliss and The Coconuts. Other more recent examples being Black-ish and Fresh off the Boat.
But, in this era, where pushing the envelope is not just celebrated, it is necessary to leave an impact with a legion of more discerning audiences – American Crime has stepped up to the plate.
And it has a stellar cast to boot: Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Richard Cobral, Benito Martinex, Johnny Ortiz and Regina King.
Created by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave), this crime drama offers a stark and disquieting look at how one violent act unleashes racial tensions, peeling back the layers of different societal strata and, at the same time, reflecting on relationships, drug abuse and poverty.
The 10-part series opens with the murder of Matt Skokie, a war veteran, and the assault of his wife Gwen during a home invasion. The four suspects comprise Tony Gutierrez, an impressionable teen, his father Alonzo, who has lived a life of crime out of necessity, and interracial couple and druggies, Carter Nix and Aubry Taylor.
Then there is Barb Hanlon (Felicity Huffman), mother of the victim, and her estranged husband, Russ Skokie.
This is where things get interesting. Ridley polarises that fine line between grief and hatred. And uses Huffman as his pawn in getting the desired effect: she is intolerably racist.
Everything about the different character’s lives – from their faith to their gender – is manifested in the storyline.
The consequence of this approach throws a very deep-seated, as well as paralysing, question at viewers: who is the “real” victim here?
That’s what sets American Crime apart from other shows of this ilk: it’s bold and blunt at the same time. So darn genius, it’s criminal, wouldn’t you say?
• American Crime airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Tuesday, May 19 at 8.30pm.