Watch Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn is a powerful and emotional documentary that highlights the tragic events that took place in Brooklyn, New York in 1989. The film tells the story of Yusuf Hawkins, a 16-year-old black high school student from East New York, who was brutally murdered by a group of white youths in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

The film starts by providing some context for the events that led up to the murder of Yusuf Hawkins. It explains how Bensonhurst was a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood, and how tensions were high between the black and Italian-American communities at the time. The film then goes on to describe in detail the events of August 23, 1989, the night that Yusuf Hawkins was killed.

The documentary features interviews with Yusuf's family and friends, as well as eyewitnesses and community leaders who were involved in the aftermath of the killing. These interviews provide a raw, personal perspective on the tragedy that unfolded that night, and help to illustrate the impact that Yusuf's death had on both his immediate community and the wider world.

The film also features interviews with notable figures from the time, including civil rights activist Al Sharpton, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. These interviews add a historical context to the film and serve to highlight the political and social significance of Yusuf's death.

Throughout the documentary, the viewer is presented with a range of different perspectives on the events of that night. Some interviewees argue that Yusuf's death was a result of deeply ingrained racism in the Bensonhurst community, while others suggest that it was simply the result of a few misguided individuals. The film does not present a clear answer to these questions, but instead encourages the viewer to consider the various viewpoints presented and draw their own conclusions.

One of the most powerful elements of Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn is its use of archival footage and photographs. The film features footage of the protests and demonstrations that took place in the wake of Yusuf's death, as well as news reports from the time. These images serve to bring the story to life and make it all the more real for the viewer.

Overall, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn is a moving and thought-provoking documentary that tells an important story. It offers a nuanced and balanced perspective on a tragic event, and encourages the viewer to consider the broader social and political implications of Yusuf's death. For anyone interested in civil rights or social justice issues, this film is a must-see.

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 58.