16 Shots

About 16 Shots

16 Shots is a gritty and hard-hitting 2019 documentary that probes into the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago. The film skilfully examines the cover-up by the police department that led to a political upheaval. Directed by Richard Rowley, the documentary is not just a retelling of the events but dives deeper into the systemic issues that perpetuate such incidents.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Jacqueline Soohen and Jamie Goncalves with Richard Rowley taking the director's chair. The cinematography and editing were done by Lawrence Lerew. The documentary offers a painstakingly detailed yet balanced narrative using court room testimonies, dashcam footage and interviews with key stakeholders.

Actors

• Anita Alvarez: Played herself in the documentary. As the State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois around the time of McDonald's shooting, her involvement was crucial, and she played her part earnestly.
• Dean Angelo: As the former President of the Fraternal Order of Police, he delivered an unflinching and truthful performance of himself.
• Alma Benitez: She played herself, as a concerned citizen who witnessed the death of Laquan McDonald and spoke out against the crime.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title, "16 Shots", is a reference to the number of times Laquan McDonald was shot by the police officer Jason Van Dyke.
• The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019.
• This is not a traditional actor-led film; instead, it combines archival footage and interviews with key figures involved in the case.

Awards

No awards reported for this film at the moment.

Quotes

• "Our city needs answers more than they need peace." - Activist William Calloway.
• "Justice implemented too late is justice denied." - Reverend Marvin Hunter
• "Everyone who saw that video knew it was murder, except for the authorities in this town." - Journalist Jamie Kalven.

Music, Soundtrack

No specific soundtrack was used in this documentary. Instead, the film opted for ambient sounds and real-life audios relevant to the narrative.