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American Trial:

The Eric Garner Story

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A one-of-a-kind unscripted courtroom drama,
AMERICAN TRIAL: THE ERIC GARNER STORY presents the case against the NYPD Officer caught on video choking Eric Garner, who gasped “I can’t breathe” several times before dying on the sidewalk. No one was ever put on trial for his killing.
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AMERICAN TRIAL employs actual prosecutors, defense attorneys and experts, presenting the real-life evidence and witnesses to Garner’s death. The film follows real courtroom rules of evidence and trial procedures, right up to the verdict, when you get to decide: Is NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo guilty as charged?

FILM INFO

​Genre: Crime, Docu-Drama, Hybrid
Runtime: 101 minutes
Rated: NR - PG recommendation

Director: Roee Messinger
Executive Producers: Ralph Richardson, James Jenkins
Producers: Alena Svyatova, Roee Messinger

Cast: Esaw Garner, Alan Dershowitz, Netta Elzie, Deron McKesson, Anthony Altieri, Priya Chaudhry, Robert Brown, Thomas Kenniff, Steven Raiser

Select Press:

"An intriguing and well-executed attempt to supply something Americans were denied,"
- John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter - link to review

"Ultimately 'American Trial: The Eric Garner Story' is a kick in the ass and a wake up call concerning the criminal justice system. It is a must see film." 
- Steve Kopian, Unseen Films

"Roee Messinger’s film goes deep into the case, placing the audience in the position of the jury."
- Radio Facts

"Messinger’s first feature is a revelation: an urgent and compelling film so formally innovative that it feels as if you’re witnessing the birth of a new genre."
- Nelson Kim, Hammer to Nail

Featuring Real-Life Witnesses & Experts in the Death of Eric Garner

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Following real courtroom rules of evidence and trial procedures.

Alan Dershowitz, Professor

Harvard School of Law

Deray McKesson, Author

On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case For Hope

Netta Elzie, Activist

ThisIsTheMovement.org

Gallery:

Roee Messinger, Director

"From the beginning, my intention has always been to show the truest possible version of the trial that so many people around the country – and around the world – feel should have happened. But it was always important to me not to take on the role of judge, jury and certainly not the role of executioner. The power of AMERICAN TRIAL, lies in its objectivity.
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At the end of the day, I don’t believe that film and art can change reality, only actions can create real change, but in order to provoke action, one must first provoke thought, and it is my hope that this film does just that. "

American Trial: The Eric Garner Story

Available on Virtual Cinema through June 4th ~ Purchase tickets below!

Choose your Virtual Cinema:

American Trial | May 15 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | Live Event May 21

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 31

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 21

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 21

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 28

American Trial | May 18 - 21

American Trial | May 18 - 21

American Trial | May 29 - June 4

 American trial - Event schedule here

Date	Virtual Cinema	Time	​Tickets/Event Page	Hosted by
May 21	GATHR at HOME	4 pm PDT / 7 pm EDT	Purchase Tickets	GATHR
May 21	GATHR at HOME	6 pm PDT / 9 pm EDT​	​Purchase Tickets	GATHR
May 15-28	RiverRun Film Festival	VOD	​Purchase Tickets	Eventive
​May 18-21	Laemmle Virtual Cinemas	VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 18-28	​Independent Filmmaker Project	VOD	​Purchase Tickets	Eventive
​May 18-28	Lark Theater	VOD	Purchase Tickets	​Eventive
May 18-28	​Hook Arts Media	VOD	​Purchase Tickets	Eventive
​May 18-28	Lefont Film Society	VOD	Purchase Tickets	​Eventive
May 18-28	Avalon Theatre	VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 18-31	BOLD and Black Mama's Bailout	VOD	Purchase Tickets	​Eventive
​May 18-28	The Innocence Project	​VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive
​May 18-21	​National Urban League	VOD	Purchase Tickets	​Eventive
​May 18-28	Amnesty International USA	VOD	​Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 18-28	New York Civil Liberties Union	VOD	​​Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 18-21	National Latino Officers Association	VOD	​Purchase Tickets	​Eventive
​May 18-28	Color of Change	VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 18-21	YANY - Young Audiences of New York	VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive
May 29 - June 4	Cinema Art Theater	VOD	Purchase Tickets	Eventive

Stay connected for the latest ​updates on American Trial!