What is Cops and Robbers on Netflix about?

It’s always nice to lay back and watch a full-length film, but oftentimes short films can be just as captivating. As reported by Decider, there’s a new short film on Netflix that’s definitely worth watching before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Directed by Arnon Manor and Timothy Ware-Hill, Cops and Robbers is a seven-minute movie based on a spoken word poetry video created in response to the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

For those of you who don’t know, Ahmaud Arbery was killed on February 23, 2020 in Glynn County, Georgia. Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old black man, was out for a jog one night when he was followed by three armed white men: Travis McMichael and his father Gregory, along with William “Roddie” Bryan. Arbery was approached and killed by Travis McMichael.

Gregory McMichael later sent a video of the events to a local radio station, sparking national outrage over the investigation and the fact that the McMichaels were not arrested until 74 days after the murder.

Ware-Hills narrates Cops and Robbers, a passion project that over 30 artists and animators helped to create. The new short features powerful imagery, various styles of animation, as well as a poignant message about what we can learn from the past year, and how we can hope to create a more peaceful society moving forward.

Below you will find the film’s dedication:

"For all the black men, women and children who have been victims of racial profiling, police violence, loss of life and other injustices, just for being themselves."

For a closer look at Cops and Robbers, you can check out a clip of the directors Arnon Manor and Timothy Ware-Hill talking about the short film‘s conception below.