Watch Always In Season

Always In Season is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that highlights the ongoing legacy of racial violence and injustice in the United States. The film, which was directed by Jacqueline Olive and released in 2019, follows the story of a mother and her family as they seek justice for the lynching of her son, Lennon Lacy. The film begins by introducing Claudia Lacy, a mother from Bladenboro, North Carolina who is still seeking answers about her son's death. Lennon Lacy was just 17 years old when he was found hanging from a swing set in the town park on August 29, 2014. Despite evidence that suggests he was lynched, local authorities quickly ruled his death a suicide, sparking outrage and protests from members of the community who believed that the investigation was mishandled and that Lennon's death was a hate crime.

As we follow Claudia's journey to uncover the truth about her son's death, the film delves into the broader issue of racial violence in America. Through interviews with activists, historians, and families who have been impacted by lynching, the film exposes the deep-seated racism and prejudice that continues to haunt our nation.

One of the key themes of Always In Season is the idea that violence against Black people has been a constant and ongoing part of American history. The film features powerful archival footage and photographs of lynching victims, reminding viewers that these horrific acts were not isolated incidents, but a systematic tactic used to terrorize and control Black communities. We see how the legacy of lynching lives on in our society today through police brutality, mass incarceration, and other forms of institutional racism.

The film also highlights the bravery and resilience of those who have fought against racial injustice throughout history. We hear from civil rights leaders like William J. Barber II and Sherrilyn Ifill, who speak about the importance of acknowledging our nation's dark past in order to create a more just and equitable future. Danny Glover also makes an appearance, reflecting on his own experiences with racism and the ways in which art can be used as a tool for social change.

One of the most striking elements of Always In Season is its visual style. The film employs a mix of cinematic techniques, including animation, reenactments, and striking imagery, to convey its message. For example, we see Claudia standing alone in a field, surrounded by nothing but tall stalks of corn, a metaphor for the isolation and abandonment she feels as she tries to navigate the legal system. Another scene shows a group of Black men standing in front of a Confederate statue, their bodies painted in white, symbolizing the erasure of Black history and culture in America.

Overall, Always In Season is a deeply moving and impactful film that shines a light on an issue that is often ignored or overlooked. It is a call to action for viewers to confront the realities of racial violence and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society. The film is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the ongoing fight for racial justice in our country.

Always In Season is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 71.