In 2012, the US ignited in racial debate after the killing of African-American high school student, Trayvon Martin. Now, Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter is teaming up with The Weinstein Company to produce a multi-project series about Martin’s life and death, including a film and TV documentary series.
Trayvon Martin’s horrific story was integral in the Black Lives Matter movement, drawing international attention when George Zimmerman (a member of his Florida neighbourhood watch) was acquitted of the 17-year-old’s murder.
Providing the backbone to these narratives will be Suspicion Nation: The Inside Story Of The Trayvon Martin Injustice And Why We Continue To Repeat It, and Rest In Power: The Enduring Life Of Trayvon Martin, written by journalist Lisa Bloom and Martin’s parents, respectively. As it stands, Jay Z will be producing a six-part documentary series, with The Weinstein Company developing the accompanying feature.
Neither parties are tackling their challenges blind, Jay Z recently producing TIME: The Kalief Browder Story alongside Harvey Weinstein, and The Weinstein Company previously garnering critical acclaim with Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station.