Soledad O’Brien on Exposing the ‘Chaos’ of Stand-Your-Ground Laws With Sundance Doc ‘The Perfect Neighbor’: ‘These Make It Easier to Kill People. Period’

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“The Perfect Neighbor” delivers a harrowing look at how a small disagreement leads to tragedy.

Geeta Gandbhir’s documentary will be showing throughout the weekend at the Sundance Film Festival. The film chronicles the tragic murder of Ajike Owens, a young African-American mother of four, who was fatally shot by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz.

Gandbhir narrates the account of a prolonged neighborhood disagreement, which initially stemmed from kids playing in a neighboring yard, eventually leading to the tragic event of Owen’s murder, as depicted in police bodycam footage.

Gandhi and renowned broadcast journalist and executive producer Soledad O’Brien had a virtual meeting through Zoom, where they talked about the process behind creating the documentary, as well as the effects of Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws and firearm regulations.

Geeta, what made this a “must-tell” story for you?

GEETA GANGBIR: The account I’m sharing with you is one that has been passed down through my family. Ajike Owens, who was close to my sister-in-law, experienced something unfortunate. Later on, Takema Robinson, a fellow executive producer, informed us about the incident. This took place in Florida, and initially, Susan wasn’t arrested; instead, she was held and later released. The authorities were apprehensive about the implications of her invoking Stand Your Ground. In response to this, my production partner, Nikon Kwantu, who is also a producer, went down there to gather information and began filming in an attempt to shed light on the situation and attract attention to it.

A major worry for us was the misuse of the Stand Your Ground law against Black and brown individuals in this nation, and this issue was a significant concern. As we delved into the situation, Benjamin Crump’s legal team joined our efforts, and the lawyer collaborating with the family uncovered these video recordings.

They took legal action against the police, submitted Freedom of Information requests, and obtained all relevant documents detailing the events that preceded this incident. Upon reviewing these materials, we came to understand that this was the story we wanted to tell. More often than not, we only witness the aftermath of incidents similar to this one. However, it’s unusual to see the build-up. What series of events led to such extreme violence and loss of life in this case?

Soledad, what about this story made you want to get involved as an executive producer, and why does this need to be out in the world?

SOLedad O’BRIEN: Geeta is an exceptional filmmaker, so whenever she requests something, the response is usually affirmative even before she finishes her sentence. However, I believe this story served as a clear illustration of the confusion surrounding Stand Your Ground laws. It clearly demonstrates who should not be allowed to possess a firearm and who should not be shielded by a law that was initially presented as a means to reduce homicides and gun violence, but unfortunately ended up escalating them instead. And if you think these laws will become less prevalent at this point in time, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. We’ve come to understand that President Trump intends to reverse any gun regulations pertaining to firearm protection. Currently, we find ourselves in a situation where discussions about such laws are intensifying, shedding light on what has made it easier for individuals to take lives. These laws facilitate the act of taking lives. Point blank.

Exploring the situation more thoroughly using the body camera recordings will reveal the insignificance of the dispute. I believe that this narrative serves as an effective means to illustrate to viewers just how crucial these laws are, what transpires behind them currently, and potential future developments we might face.

What was it like as a filmmaker to have access to that body cam footage, edit it and weave it all together?

Observation: Over the course of two years, you observe Susan’s dealings with the police, witnessing the evolving situation and its escalation. You notice the authorities’ struggles to effectively address it or even recognize her as a danger. However, you also find a harmonious, multicultural community that cares for one another, particularly their children. Susan appears to be an anomaly in this context, a menacing presence that seems to advance ever closer, with no apparent solutions to contain it.

She brandished a firearm at some children, yet the community opted not to contact the authorities once more, possibly due to deeply rooted concerns about trust. The video also showcased an extraordinary journey of uncovering truths, as it introduced us to the community, offered insights into the viewpoints of law enforcement officials, and allowed us to meet Susan.

This recording isn’t entirely from a body camera, yet it provides us with an unusual perspective that typically remains unseen during such incidents. It captures the events as they transpire in real-time, offering us a glimpse into what usually goes undetected.

Were you still making the documentary while the trial was going on?

GANDBHIR: We continued working on the film right up until the verdict was handed down. There were moments when we questioned whether to incorporate the trial, if it was necessary, but I felt that the community had already told its story. I didn’t want to disrupt the growing tension leading up to this horrific, extremely violent, and heartbreaking event.

What is the call to action that you want audiences to walk away with from this?

O’BRIEN: The aim is to reach a vast number of people with this story. It’s crucial. You get to witness the heart-wrenching decline of an individual, leading to devastating outcomes for all involved. In the end, everyone suffers. Our goal is to ensure that the narrative reaches as many eyes as possible because I believe it will strike a chord with everyone, regardless of their political beliefs or location within the country. It touches everyone.

Before she left, she told her mother, “Somedy, everyone will know my name. That’s our goal. We didn’t want it to turn out this way, but we believe that if people recognize her, she can create a lasting impression and bring about change in the world.

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2025-01-25 22:19