Ep 33. June 17, 1994 (Brett Morgen)
- June 17, 2015
In the landmark 33rd episode of the second season of ESPN's cultural phenomenon '30 for 30', filmmaker Brett Morgen takes the audience on an immersive trip back in time to June 17, 1994. This day, in retrospect, has come to represent a single moment of cultural and societal shift, where the worlds of sports, media, and general public opinion were irrevocably changed. The episode, aptly named 'June 17, 1994', is a visually sumptuous and wholly engrossing piece of storytelling that manages to channel the chaotic energy of that infamous day.
For context, June 17, 1994 is best known for being the day that O.J. Simpson embarked on that infamous slow-speed car chase with LAPD on the freeways of Los Angeles. This incident came in the midst of the former NFL player's murder trial, which had been garnering massive media attention for months. With Simpson out on bail and facing a possible life sentence, this bizarre and surreal car chase became a lightning rod moment in American culture.
Morgen's episode dives deep into this day, but not just to showcase the Simpson chase. Using a medley of news footage, interviews, and archival footage, Morgen unfurls an intricate web of events, commentary, and stories that all intersected on this one day. Housing, court proceedings, and the World Cup are just some of the other events in focus that happened in the background while Simpson was driving down the highway, with millions watching at home.
The show's ability to flesh out these seemingly disparate events and latch them together through a series of powerful vignettes is remarkable. Morgen and his team manage to fully immerse the audience in the intensity and chaos of that day, conjuring up the emotions of those who experienced it firsthand. The profound impact that O.J. Simpson's trial and the chase had on American culture and society is explored in intricate detail, with commentary and analysis from journalists, historians, sociologists, and cultural critics all adding their perspective.
Despite being one of the most culturally significant moments in American history, Morgen manages to explore some lesser-known dimensions of the event as well. The filmmaker dives deep into the experiences of various individuals - including an LAPD officer who rode close to Simpson's car, a pizza delivery man who was oblivious to the chase while on the job, and various journalists who were tasked with covering the spectacle that day. Their experiences add a human element to the whole event, making it feel more real and genuine.
But perhaps most fascinating of all is the way the episode taps into the feeling of civic unrest and unease that existed in America at the time. The trial and its aftermath had become a microcosm of simmering racial tension in America. Morgen masterfully explores how and why Simpson's trial came to symbolize and amplify those tensions, giving voice to those who felt marginalized and overlooked.
Ultimately, 'June 17, 1994' is a powerful piece of storytelling that manages to bring an entire moment in time to vivid life. Morgen's ability to blend new footage, archival news clips, and voiceovers is masterful and immersive, creating a viewing experience that feels uniquely tactile and engrossing. Even for those who lived through that day, this episode manages to bring a renewed sense of perspective and understanding to this cultural moment.
