“Power”

The uncomfortable truths exposed by director Yance Ford’s documentary “Power” are going to make you mad. Not just mad, but bubbling over with anger. The heart of the film is in one question: “Who polices the police?” In America, the answer far too often is “no one.” It’s a country where law enforcement seems to have omnipotent power, which in turn leads to an increase in police brutality. But how did we get here?

The documentary attempts to answer the question in a thorough, compelling, and educational way as Ford retraces the history and the evolution of policing in the United States.

The film incorporates chilling historical footage of cops behaving badly, and the sheer brutality is difficult to watch. From the early inequalities that exploded in the 1960s and new laws that strengthened the racial divide, Ford asks the tough questions. He doesn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that the same America can feel vastly different based on the color of a person’s skin.

From discussions of privilege, class, and lack of accountability, the film bridges the racial history of the U.S. with current problems in modern day policing. In many ways, it should be considered a societal failure that we’ve gotten to this point.

Tackling a tough topic and one of the uglier sides of American history with such an extensive lens makes “Power” not only a highly educational must-see, but a documentary of vital importance.

By: Louisa Moore