About Strong Island

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

Strong Island is a 2017 crime documentary that delves into the tragic murder of William Ford Jr., a young black man from Long Island, New York. Directed by Yance Ford, the documentary serves as a personal exploration of Ford's own experiences and emotions following the murder of his brother.

William Ford Jr. was murdered in 1992 by a white man during a confrontation over a car repair. Despite the clear evidence and eyewitness testimony, the killer was never indicted. The film examines the injustices faced by black families in the American criminal justice system, highlighting the devastating impact it can have on their lives.

Through personal interviews, archival footage, and emotional storytelling, Strong Island offers an intimate look at the Ford family's struggle for justice and the profound impact of loss and grief on their lives.

Making / Production

Strong Island was directed and produced by Yance Ford, who also serves as the film's narrator and interviewee. Ford's personal connection to the case provides a unique perspective and emotional depth to the documentary. The film was shot over a span of several years and involved extensive research, interviews, and archival footage gathering.

Actors

• Yance Ford - Director, narrator, and interviewee in the film
• Various family members and friends of the Ford family - Interviewees and participants in the documentary

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Strong Island is the first openly transgender director's film to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary Feature category.
• The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017, where it was well-received by critics and audiences.
• Strong Island has been praised for its raw and emotionally powerful storytelling, shedding light on issues of race, justice, and loss.

Awards

Strong Island has received several prestigious awards and nominations, including:

• Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards
• Winner of the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Documentary
• Winner of the Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Storytelling

Quotes

• "Justice cannot simply mean the absence of prejudice; it must be the presence of our complete selves in a place we call home." - Yance Ford
• "Strong Island is more than just a documentary. It's a powerful call for justice and an exploration of grief and loss that will stay with you long after the credits roll." - Film Critic

Music / Soundtrack

The music in Strong Island complements the emotional narrative and enhances the storytelling experience. The documentary features a mix of original score composed by H. Scott Salinas and additional songs that evoke the themes of justice, loss, and resilience.

Some notable tracks from the film's soundtrack include:

• "Strong Island" by H. Scott Salinas
• "Justice" by Nina Simone
• "Back to Life" by Soul II Soul

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