Bill Morrison On Re-Constructing an Unspeakable Event in ‘Incident’ [VIDEO]

Bill Morrison’s Incident lets events speak for themselves.

This documentary literally opens in space as Google Maps takes us from a wide shot of Earth before plunging us down down down into the streets of Chicago on a summer day in 2018. As residents go about their routines, it is explained that a police presence was requested to deter gang activity from in front of the local business, and tensions were already high between citizens and law enforcement in anticipation of the September trial of Officer Jason Van Dyke (who had been indicted in the murder of Laquan McDonald). Morrison presents us with the murder of Harith “Snoop” Augustus before rewinding to show, with enormous clarity, how the event transpired. This is a film that elicits frustration and outrage.

**We have linked Morrison’s film below. We encourage you to watch Incident and then watch our interview with the director.**

Incident features no talking heads and no cluttered analysis of what happened to Augustus–he simply places the visuals in front of us. By splicing together surveillance footage, and, eventually, various bodycam footage of officers involved, we cannot escape what we have witnessed. The footage is connected and shifts around the screen, weaving together a purposely frantic and frenetic tapestry of chaos. We are not meant to be able to escape.

You will wonder how officers can convince themselves that they did the right thing. That they followed protocol or did “what they had to do.” It’s chilling, but it’s our reality. Morrison doesn’t want you to look away. It is a film that must be seen to be believed.

Incident is available to stream via The New Yorker.