‘Residue’ On Netflix Shares Truth On Black Identity And Gentrification in Washington, D.C.

ARRAY will premiere RESIDUE on Netflix on Thursday, September 17, 2020, as well as in select cities theatrically. RESIDUE is an award-winning poetic drama directed, written, produced, and edited by Merawi Gerima. The film is an official selection for the 77th Venice International Film Festival. Originally from Washington, DC, and a USC School of Cinematic Arts graduate, RESIDUE marks Gerima’s feature directorial debut.

The film finds aspiring filmmaker Jay (Obinna Nwachukwu) returning to his childhood Washington, DC, a neighborhood that has been gentrified beyond recognition. Dealing with alienation from his friends, troubled by the disappearance of his best friend, and unsure of his place in this new community, Jay confronts issues of identity, gentrification, and loss. More information at www.arraynow.com.

“The film is timely as it reflects on universal issues that impact society as a whole — but through the perspective of a Black man. The film’s exploration of the impact of gentrification, underemployment and Black male identity in Washington D.C. stirs up and shines a light on the systemic racism plaguing Black communities nationwide”

It’s tough in the city. There are decisions that have to be made between yourself and your environment. RESIDUE depiction is what’s happening in the city currently. Not 5 years ago, but right now! Everything about this film was beautiful, even the jargon/lingo you hear throughout, kill.

After dissecting every bit of this film, I truly believe that, with the power of the people in the D.C metropolitan area, we could change and turn a lot of this madness around. Towards the end of the film, you’ll come across a scene where there are black hands beating on the table which symbolizes the rhythm the city carries engrained since the birth of GOGO. Using the same rhythm to feed, educate, and protect our people — we could bring D.C city to what it was used to being… Chocolate City moe.