The Hate U Give, a drama film released in 2018, is available to rent for free today. Based on the novel of the same name by Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give was written by the late Audrey Wells and directed by George Tillman, Jr. It tells the story of Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), a Black teen who is looked as a leader by her community after her childhood friend is murdered by police. The Hate U Give garnered widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Stenberg’s performance, and features a cast that includes the likes of Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Common, Anthony Mackie, and KJ Apa. For those who haven’t seen The Hate U Give, or would like to give it a rewatch, it is the latest film to be offered at no cost in an effort to bring attention to stories focused on the legal system and Black history.
On Twitter, Tillman announced that The Hate U Give is now available to rent on digital platforms for free. It can be found on Amazon, YouTube, and iTunes/AppleTV. Explaining his decision, Tillman said he hoped the film he directed would provide a bit of understanding for viewers. His post has been included below.
Just Mercy, a biopic that exposes how discriminatory the legal system often is, is also free to rent for the rest of the month. The same is true for Selma, Ava DuVernay’s historical drama about the 1965 marches for voting rights. The Criterion Channel also announced that they would be highlighting films made by Black filmmakers on their platform.
Most would agree that movies should strive to be entertaining. The legendary film critic Roger Ebert was famous for looking beyond that simple mandate. At their best, Ebert believed, movies were like machines which generate empathy. At their most vital and most meaningful, they should help audiences understand and relate to situations which might otherwise seem completely foreign. Tillman points to this when he mentions his hope that The Hate U Give leaves viewers with a better understanding of the experiences that have led so many to protest and call for systemic changes.
Source: George Tillman, Jr.