Summer 2017, a string of brutal police killings of young African American men has sent shock waves throughout the country. A black community in the American South tries to cope with the lingering effects of the past and navigate their place in a country that is not on their side. Meanwhile, the Black Panthers prepare a large-scale protest against police brutality. A blistering meditation on the state of race in America - from the director of THE OTHER SIDE.

Direction: Roberto Minervini

Production: Paolo Benzi

Co-Production: Denise Ping Lee, Roberto Minervini

Cinematography: Diego Romero Suarez Llanos

Editing: Marie-Hélène Dozo

Sound: Bernat Fortiana Chico

Cast: Judy Hill, Kevin Goodman, Ronaldo King, Titus Turner

Original Title: WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD'S ON FIRE?

Original Language: English

Film Production Countries: Italy, France, United States of America

Website: https://www.oktafilm.it/en/

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/oktafilm

Statement of the Director/s
I have told stories of the American South which were unfolding before my eyes in unexpected ways. I have documented clusters of today’s America where the seeds of anti-­institutional, reactionary anger (which gifted the country with Donald Trump as the new president) were already planted, but no one cared to notice. This time, I intended to dig even deeper into the roots of social inequality in America, by focusing on the condition of African Americans. While preparing the film, we were able to establish deep bonds with several people, and gained access to neighbourhoods and communities that are off-­limits to most. I soon realized that most of the people I met felt strongly about two dramatic events in Louisiana’s recent history: Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the killing of Alton Sterling in 2016. Both events are the result of institutional negligence, of a socio-economic divide between rich and poor, and of strong endemic racism. Moved by anger and fear, people wanted to get a chance to tell their stories out loud. My hope is that this film can facilitate a much-­needed discussion on race and the current plight of African Americans who, now more than ever, are witnessing the intensification of hate crimes and discriminatory policies.

Biography of the Director/s
Roberto Minervini is an Italian-­born film director, who lives and works in the US. After completing a Master’s Degree in Media Studies at The New School University in New York City in 2004, he moved to the Philippines to teach Documentary Filmmaking at a university level. In 2007, he moved to Texas, where he directed three feature films, THE PASSAGE, LOW TIDE and STOP THE POUNDING HEART, a Texas trilogy that was presented and awarded at some of the most renowned film festivals in the world such as Cannes, Venice, Toronto, and Rotterdam, among others.

Filmography of the Director/s
2018 - WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE WORLD’S ON FIRE?
2015 - THE OTHER SIDE (LOUISIANA)
2013 - STOP THE POUNDING HEART
2012 - LOW TIDE
2011 - THE PASSAGE
2006 - LAS LUCIERNAGAS
2005 - VOODOO DOLL

Awards Won
Premio Vivere da Sportivi, Fair Play Cinema Award, UNICEF Award & Soundtrack Stars Award - Special Mention for Judy Hill, Venice IFF 2018
Grierson Award for Best Documentary, BFI London Film Festival 2018
Viennale-Standard Publikumspreis, Viennale 2018
Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editor, Mar del Plata IFF 2018

Production Company:
Okta Film
Paolo Benzi
Via Cesare Battisti, 23
Trieste, 34125, Italy
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +39 33 82 90 42 40
Website: http://www.oktafilm.it/

World Sales:
The Match Factory GmbH
Valentina Bronzini
Domstraße 60
Köln, 50668, Germany
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +49 221 539 709-0
Website: https://www.the-match-factory.com/

Press:
Gabriele Barcaro
Gabriele Barcaro

Rome, , Italy
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +39 34 05 53 84 25