Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe’s film about
police violence has been criticised as ‘trauma porn’, but the directors say its tough imagery is essential
On Tuesday, a few hours after Derek Chauvin was convicted of George Floyd’s murder, another chapter closed in the history of Travon Free’s film that was inspired by the case. Voting ended for this year’s
Oscars, at which Two Distant Strangers is frontrunner for live-action short.
It was an odd day. The film was nominated as the trial began and its fate was sealed the day it ended. Speaking from
Los Angeles, Free says it feels as if “there’s this weird synced-up relationship”.