When a racially charged arrest becomes a media circus, a white cop, a Black professor, and the professor’s daughter are forced to work together—changing them forever. A varied jazz-inspired score creates vivid moments in this examination of race, class, perspective, and hope. 

SYNOPSIS:

It's 2012, with racial tensions in America ratcheting up. Arriving home, renowned scholar CHESTER WASHINGTON III finds the door to his house jammed and his life’s work about to be put to the test. TIM O’CONNOR, a white police officer, assumes Chester is a burglar. Their exchange intensifying, Tim arrests Chester. Later, Tim feels self doubt as he “speaks” to his late father about trying to follow in his footsteps. Chester Washington’s daughter CHLOE WASHINGTON, a performance artist and cultural critic, offers her perspective on the arrest in a video that goes viral.

Tim receives an anonymous text with a link to the 911 call. U.S. PRESIDENT MICHAEL RIVERA’s comments launch a media circus, and very different stories emerge. Tim’s fellow police officers, led by OFFICER CHANDRA JONES, an African American woman, issue a statement in support of his actions. President Rivera invites the professor and the policeman to have a beer at the White House, a move that sends Tim reeling.

Chloe calls Tim out on a racist trope and releases a song interpreting President Rivera’s true feelings behind his official pronouncements. Chester and Tim argue, and Tim, increasingly aware of his father’s corrosive influence on him, amends the police report. In the run-up to the White House “Beer Talks,” a morning show team trivializes the arrest. At the White House, President Rivera sends Chester and Tim on a “Race in America” listening tour.

Chester and Tim agree to let Chloe film the listening tour. Trust ebbs and flows, and Tim surprises Chester and Chloe with the amended police report. Chester and Tim agree there’s a chance they could create positive change. Tim’s innocent question about Chester’s late wife sparks an argument between Chester and Chloe. Chester has selfishly kept memories of his late wife to himself and refuses to accept Chloe’s theory that her mother’s death was the result of a hate crime. Tim and Chloe bond over their love for — and issues with — their fathers.

The listening tour begins, and attendees share their experiences with racism and discrimination. A pipe bomb explodes, injuring Chloe. Chester is furious — and defeated. Tim challenges a right wing TV host’s demagoguery and Chloe has a romantic dream about Tim. Chester is not amused. Back home, the last stop on the national listening tour, the self-righteous residents reject the possibility of a racist incident happening in their progressive town.

At a White House screening of Chloe’s documentary about the listening tour, Chester fails to show up. The organizers turn to Chloe and Tim, who accept the baton to usher in a new era of hope. Arriving home after the screening, Chester puts his key in the lock, jiggles the door — and freezes.