WHO KILLED MICHAEL STEWART?
PROVOKR Presents Doc On The Graffiti Artist
There is a documentary about Michael Stewart, an artist assaulted by police in the 1980s, and it was made on a zero budget. He was a graffiti artist who worked in subways and underground platforms. The documentary tells the story through multiple interviews with people familiar with Stewart’s life.
The documentary uses autopsy information to show how the media uncovered the truth about Stewart’s murder. It also focuses on race and police corruption and shows how people can work together to stop police violence. Franck Goldberg directed the project. Art Matters Inc. distributed it. It exposes police violence in New York and shows police interference when violent officers are held accountable. Stewart got caught with marijuana and was brutalized. A series of protests followed. Prominent voices, like Malcolm X, became involved in the case.
Stewart was a true artist and used his apartment walls to showcase his creativity. Many people offer emotional and supportive testimonies and demonize the police who they say forced Stewart into a corner. Jean-Michel Basquiat famously created the exhibition Defacement in response to the artist’s death. It is moving to watch and mirrors the current frustrations over police behavior.
Check this documentary out and see the efforts to clear Michael Stewart’s name. PROVOKR loves this documentary and we bet you will, too.
Watch Who Killed Michael Stewart here.
