Mumia: A Case For Reasonable Doubt?

Based on the 1996 HBO special of the same name, this film outlines the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who now sits on death row for the 1981 murder of a white policeman in Philadelphia. While the story of Abu-Jamal, an acclaimed journalist, black activist, and writer, is a compelling one, this "documentary" fails to give an accurate profile of the prosecution (the reporting is undeniably one-sided). This criticism aside, the film does successfully bring to light many issues that plague American society--presumptions about race relations, corruption in the legal system, classism, etc. And, Mumia contains provocative new footage not included in the HBO special, including a thought-provoking prison interview with Abu-Jamal. The answer to the film's rhetorical title is--yes. Abu-Jamal does, indeed, have a case for reasonable doubt--though his recent appeal for retrial was denied. Optional. (A. Glover)