Tylerman International Social Awareness Film Fest to feature documentary 'No Knock

Dec 02, 2023

On Sunday, Aug. 6, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will be joined by Andre Locke Sr., father of Amir Locke, and Marques Armstrong for a "Fireside Chat: I Am A Man," moderated by Art Norman of NBC 5 Chicago. Courtesy of Tylerman Film Festival

The Tylerman International Social Awareness Film Festival will showcase the documentary feature, "No Knock -- No Charge? The Amir Locke Story" as a part of its non-competitive series.

The red carpet screening will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave. in Downers Grove. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This riveting film exposes the "culture of coverup" at two police departments, St. Paul and Minneapolis. Previously screened by the Department of Justice and members of the Minnesota Congress, this documentary is slated to be shown during the 2023 Congressional Black Caucus Conference. This movie features Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, attorneys Ben Crump and Jeff Storm, Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Attorney General Merck Garland, and others.

Referred to as the "Blueprint" for justice, this social justice documentary speaks to the deadly and unconscionable practice which prompted Congresswoman llhan Omar to pen the Amir Locke End Deadly No-Knock Warrants Act. The documentary features music provided by Grammy Award winners Dr. Walt Whitman & The Soul Children of Chicago, The Sounds of Blackness, Pastor Darius Brooks, and Kendall Nesbitt who offered music support for this documentary.

The documentary speaks to the fact that a good percentage of body camera footage isn't reviewed following egregious acts by police.

The documentary private screening with feature performances by Dr. Walt Whitman & the Soul Children of Chicago, Darius Brooks, Jason Warrior of the Voice, and a Hip Hop Ballerina dance tribute to Amir by members of the Hiplet Ballerinas.

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6, at Cantigny Park with films and a "Fireside Chat," moderated by Mia Hardy, dean of liberal arts at Oakton College.

Mothers of the Movement will discuss ("From Grief To Action"), featuring Michelle Kenney, Valerie Bell, Allison Charles-Findley, Toshira Garraway, and the mother of Amir Locke, Karen Wells.

Sunday includes a "Fireside Chat" ("I Am A Man") with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Andre Locke Sr., father of Amir Locke alongside Marques Armstrong, moderated by Art Norman of NBC 5 Chicago.

Over 40 films will be shown over the weekend. Learn more and get tickets on Eventbrite.com.

When asked what led them to cash in their 40lKs to finance this film, executive producers Andrew and Linda Tyler, who are also Amir's uncle and aunt, responded, "After careful review of 56 body-cams from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, we decided to create "No knock - No charge? The Amir Locke Story", because we wanted to tell an accurate account of what led to Amir's execution by both Minneapolis and Saint Paul Police Departments on Feb. 2, 2022."

Tylerman Films LLC creates digital media content and films while providing a platform for Independent Filmmakers with the Tylerman Social Awareness Film Festival for the purposes of education, inspiration, and upliftment with unparalleled social awareness reflections that become iconic brands that change history and innovate technologies. These features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, documentaries, experimental films and more will be worthy of a platform for the community and beyond. This is a momentous occasion for our city as we connect with filmmakers from across the globe and immerse them in the international storytelling community.

The festival runs from Aug. 4-6 and includes an array of social engagements at historical venues around our great city.