Watch Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now

Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now is a documentary film that chronicles the event and aftermath of the infamous Central Park Five case. Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film features interviews with the exonerated men, their families, and others who were involved in the case. This documentary serves as a companion piece to DuVernay's critically acclaimed Netflix miniseries When They See Us.

The film begins with a recap of the case, which occurred in 1989, when five black and Latino teens were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in New York City's Central Park. Despite the lack of physical evidence, coerced confessions, and conflicting testimonies, the young men were convicted and sentenced to many years in prison.
The film then explores the aftermath of these events. The men, now known as the Central Park Five, served between five and thirteen years in prison before DNA evidence proved their innocence and exonerated them. They discuss the fear and trauma they experienced while in prison, away from their families and communities.
The documentary also highlights the immense racial tension present in the 1980s and how the media was complicit in perpetuating the idea of the "superpredator." Even after the Central Park Five were exonerated, they were still seen by some as guilty, despite the overwhelming evidence of their innocence.

Throughout the film, Oprah Winfrey interviews the exonerated men, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise about their experiences, how they've coped with the trauma, and how they've worked to rebuild their lives after their wrongful incarceration. They discuss the impact that the trauma of imprisonment had on their mental health and the challenges they faced after their release, including the stigma that remained attached to them as a result of their convictions.
In addition, the documentary features interviews with family members of the Central Park Five, including their mothers and siblings, to provide a broader perspective on the impacts of these wrongful convictions.

DuVernay's skillful direction uses interviews, archival footage, and cinematic recreations to vividly illustrate the impact of this case on the lives of the Central Park Five and their families. The interviews are raw, emotional and bring to light the impact of the injustice experienced. The interviews reveal not only the injustice suffered by these men, but the toll it took on their families and communities as well.

When They See Us Now is a powerful and moving account of a tragic and all-too-common story. It forces viewers to confront the harsh realities of racial injustice and the long-lasting damage it can cause. Through the words and experiences of the Central Park Five, the documentary shows that the fight for justice is ongoing and motivates the audience to untangle the fact from fiction that still surrounds the Central Park Five Case. It's a timely reminder of how our justice system can fail those who need it most and an inspiring celebration of the resilience and determination that can overcome it. Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now is a must-watch documentary for anyone concerned with issues of race, justice, and equality.

Overall, the documentary is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion about the injustices in our justice system and shines a spotlight on the lives of the real people affected by these injustices.