Film Forum

An urgent and powerful exploration of the rapid militarization of the police in the United States. Starting on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, as the community grapples with the death of Michael Brown, DO NOT RESIST – the directorial debut of DETROPIA cinematographer Craig Atkinson – offers a bracing look at the current state of policing in America and a glimpse into the future. The Tribeca Film Festival winner for Best Documentary puts viewers in the center of the action – from a ride-along with a South Carolina SWAT team and inside a police training seminar that teaches the importance of “righteous violence” to the floor of a congressional hearing on the proliferation of military equipment in small-town police departments – before exploring where technology could lead the field next.

USA • 2016 • 72 MINS.

Reviews

“An eerie pileup of fly-on-the-wall observations. Crammed with alarming statistics to contextualize the militant industry it documents. A collage of disquieting moments. The movie presents a snapshot of an infuriating disconnect between power players and disenfranchised targets.”
– Eric Kohn, Indiewire 

“Traces the transformation of police departments across the US into forces that often look like our Army and Marines – and all too often act like them. An eye-opening experience. Features several eye-popping moments.”
– Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker

“Chilling”
– Jay Weissberg, Variety