Two Distant Strangers

Directed by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, the Oscar-nominated short film Two Distant Strangers is reminiscent of Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. Carter wakes up in bed with a woman he met the night before and simply wants to make it home to his dog. As Carter exits the apartment, he’s confronted by a police officer, and things quickly escalate leading to Carter’s murder.

He quickly awakens and relives the event over and over again. Aware that he’s stuck in a loop, he attempts to change fate by changing how he handles the events leading to his death. But, can you change what appears to be inevitable? Black men and women are often seen as threatening simply for being black and more often are seen as aggressors in the eyes of law enforcement. 

This film takes a hard look at the treatment of minorities by law enforcement, and the dire need for police reform throughout the United States. 

Two Distant Strangers is now streaming on Netflix. Have you seen it? Share your thoughts below.