What You Gonna Do When the World's on Fire?

  • 123'
  • Italy
  • 2018

In the summer of 2016, black CD salesman Alton Sterling was shot dead by two white policemen in Louisiana. They were not prosecuted, which led to huge protests by the New Black Panther Party – successor to the movement founded in the sixties to fight for equal rights for the Afro-American community.

In What You Gonna Do When the World's on Fire?, Italian filmmaker Roberto Minervini follows these protests, as well as their leader, the undaunted Krystal Muhammad, from close by. The action is intercut with footage of Judy Hill – a singer who has given up drugs and runs a bar in New Orleans – and discussions between brothers Ronaldo and Titus and their mother, who fights like a lioness for a better future for her children. This observational documentary, shot in beautiful black-and-white, was in the Golden Lion competition at the most recent Venice film festival, and picked up awards in London, Vienna and Mar del Plata.

Also see Big Talk Roberto Minervini.

Director
Roberto Minervini
Countries of production
Italy, USA, France
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
123'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Paolo Benzi / Okta Film
Production Company
Okta Film
Sales
The Match Factory GmbH
Screenplay
Roberto Minervini
Cinematography
Diego Romero Suarez-Llanos
Editor
Marie-Hélène Dozo
Sound Design
Bernat Fortiana Chico
Cast
Judy Hill, Dorothy Hill, Michael Nelson, Ronaldo King, Titus Turner, Ashlei King, Kevin Goodman
Director
Roberto Minervini
Countries of production
Italy, USA, France
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
123'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Paolo Benzi / Okta Film
Production Company
Okta Film
Sales
The Match Factory GmbH
Screenplay
Roberto Minervini
Cinematography
Diego Romero Suarez-Llanos
Editor
Marie-Hélène Dozo
Sound Design
Bernat Fortiana Chico
Cast
Judy Hill, Dorothy Hill, Michael Nelson, Ronaldo King, Titus Turner, Ashlei King, Kevin Goodman