The fine line between activism and obsession is explored in this profile of a fiery figure. Having spent 15 years behind bars, Philadelphia's Michael Ta'Bon now uses a form of street performance art—shackling himself in public in a mock cell—to warn fellow young African Americans against the dangerous illusions and betrayals of "thug life." Ta'Bon also enlists his young son and occasionally his wife Gwen (a professional vocalist) to provide musical accompaniment. But according to Gwen, he also repeatedly puts his angry demonstrations and self-deification as a neighborhood savior ahead of family responsibilities. As riots rage in Ferguson, MO, and the anniversary of civil rights marches in Selma approaches, Ta'Bon escalates his rhetoric—and paranoia, claiming that he has been targeted for assassination. As much a film about mental health and domestic dysfunction as it is about racism and social justice, filmmaker Andrew Michael Ellis's thought-provoking documentary is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
Fight Hate with Love
(2016) 78 min. DVD: $59.95. Passion River (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 2
Fight Hate with Love
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