This 2016 short film is obviously amateur from the get-go but portrays a specific and far too common scenario in a believable way. Jamal (Devante Wilson) is invited to a birthday hang-out with some friends on campus. The film moves slowly at this point, building a realistic scenario of young men drinking and laughing together, discussing their opinions about rappers and popular music while they drink from classic red Solo cups in a dorm room. An issue arises: one among them wants to smoke a joint but had already done so earlier in the day.
Not wanting to get caught, the group discusses where they could go to smoke their weed in peace when Jamal offers his dorm room as a location for their smoke sesh. Once there, the group of friends enjoys their joint and continues the party, but the RA has been informed of a smoke smell coming from the dorm’s fourth floor and goes to investigate. Eventually, the police are called and everything goes south for Jamal.
While this film is utterly amateur in every sense, it does what it sets out to do quite well. While more of a PSA than a serious short film, Jamal’s story isn’t rare but is rarely documented in a similar form. Deserving Mercy depicts a genuine college experience that should be addressed. Those building collections or hosting events around anti-drug or college commencement may want to consider Deserving Mercy as a warning for illegal activities in on-campus dorms.
This film contains an excellent portrayal of police overreach and dehumanization of black kids which may be useful in law and justice reform classes. There are no warnings, no friendly discussions with authority, no slaps on the wrist. From the RA to the police officers, the boys in the dorm are treated as criminals, and the charges which Jamal faces (both in reality and in this dramatic portrayal) are simultaneously unprovable and indefensible.
A thorough investigation and warnings should have taken place. Instead, driven to make an example, the police arrest a young student on drug charges with the intent to sell, a felony charge that will follow him forever because of an association and a green flower. Strong Optional Purchase.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Anti-drug and dorm orientation programming would find Deserving Mercy most useful.
What can this educational film be used as a resource for?
Deserving Mercy may be useful in academic libraries for professors of drug law and prison reform for its strong statements on police treatment of black kids in particular.