HBO and HBO Max have unveiled the first official trailer for the highly anticipated documentary, ‘Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn,’ which tells the story of a Black teenager whose 1989 racially-charged murder by a group of white men rocked headlines.
See it inside:
Back story:
“On August 23, 1989, sixteen-year-old East New York-native Yusuf Hawkins and three of his friends made a trip to the predominantly Italian-American neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to view a used car his friend was hoping to buy. Unknowingly, the teenagers emerged from the subway station into a racially charged scene.
A group of white young men had already gathered there, intent on harassing a group of black guys rumored to be dating girls in their neighborhood. Yusuf and his friends were quickly surrounded by the crowd of white attackers wielding baseball bats. In the midst of the attack, Yusuf was shot to death.”
Over 30 years after the incident, Yusuf’s family, friends, and other key players in the story assembled to reflect on the tragedy and the subsequent fight for justice via the HBO doc. It features cameos from Defense Attorney Stephen Murphy; Joseph Fama (who was convicted of the crime), Reverend Al Sharpton, Assistant District Attorney Douglas Nadjari, and more.
Its director, Muta’Ali Muhammad, issued a statement on the inspiration behind and importance of the award-winning doc.
“It’s important to remember Yusuf Hawkins, honor his life and be mindful that our martyrs have families who need our love long after the marching subsides,” he said. “This film ties together the past and the present showing how racism can rear its head anywhere, even in a liberal city.”
The film is set to premiere on HBO on Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. EST and will later be available to stream on HBO Max.