Watch Till

Till is a powerful and poignant drama movie from 2022, that tells the true story of Emmett Till, a black teenager who was brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955. It stars Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till-Mobley, Jalyn Hall as Emmett Till, and Frankie Faison as Mose Wright. The film is directed by Chinonye Chukwu, who won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019, for her previous film, Clemency. The film takes place in the summer of 1955, in Chicago, where Emmett Till lives with his mother, Mamie. Emmett is a happy-go-lucky 14-year-old boy, who loves basketball, chasing girls, and making people laugh. One day, he asks his mother if he can visit his cousins in Money, Mississippi. Mamie is hesitant, but Emmett convinces her to let him go, promising to behave himself. When Emmett arrives in Mississippi, he quickly realizes that life there is very different from what he's used to. Racism is everywhere: he's not allowed to sit in the front of the bus, he's not allowed to go to the same store as white people, and he's not allowed to talk to white girls. Emmett is shocked and confused, but he tries to make the best of it by hanging out with his cousins and having fun. But things take a dark turn when Emmett is accused of whistling at a white woman. A few days later, he's kidnapped from his uncle's house by a group of white men, who beat him, torture him, and eventually kill him. When Emmett's body is returned to his mother in Chicago, Mamie is devastated. She decides to have an open-casket funeral, so that the world can see what racism and hatred can do to a young boy. Till is an emotionally-charged movie, that tackles themes of racism, injustice, and grief. The performances are outstanding, especially Danielle Deadwyler, who portrays Mamie Till-Mobley with grace, strength, and vulnerability. Mamie's journey is the heart of the film: she's a mother who has lost her son in the most brutal way possible, and yet she finds the courage to fight for justice, even when the odds are against her. Jalyn Hall, who plays Emmett Till, is also impressive. He brings a sense of innocence and wonder to the character, which makes his fate even more tragic. Frankie Faison, who plays Mose Wright, Emmett's great-uncle, gives a powerful performance as well, as a man who risks his own life to protect his nephew. The cinematography and the music also deserve praise. The film captures the beauty and the brutality of the Mississippi landscape, and the score adds an extra layer of emotion to the story. Overall, Till is a must-see movie, that sheds light on a dark chapter of American history. It reminds us of the importance of speaking up against injustice, even when it seems impossible to make a difference. The film is a tribute to Emmett Till, and to all the victims of racism and hatred, who have been silenced and forgotten.