Two Distant Strangers

What’s it about?

While trying to get home to his dog, a Black man finds himself stuck in a time loop where he experiences being killed by a police officer over and over. 

The facts 

• Directed by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe
• English language
• Runtime: 32 minutes
• Winner of Best Live Action Short Film at the 2021 Academy Awards

Why did it get this rating? 

This film was self-rated by Netflix You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Bloody violence

The film features repeated scenes of police officers killing a Black man in a series of violent and cruel ways. His dead body is shown with injuries. Examples of this violence include:

• A man being held in a choke hold until he stops breathing.
• A man slumped dead against a wall with a bloodied chest from bullet wounds.
• Bullets hitting a man’s body and blood sprays on impact.
• A man lying dead on the ground in a puddle of blood.
• Blood dripping out of a man’s mouth. 
• A man falling to the ground after being shot in the back while running away.

Discrimination

Discrimination is central to the themes and plot of the film, and there are references and parallels to real life discrimination. 

Discrimination is clearly contextualized as wrong.

Offensive language

Offensive language is used casually, aggressively, and in shock.

Language used includes: ‘f**k’, ‘motherf**ker’,  ‘sh*t’, ‘bullsh*t,’ ‘son of a b*tch’ and the N-word.

The N-word is used exclusively by Black people.

Sex

Two characters are in bed together in the morning. They talk about having had sex the night before.

When content stays with you: 

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline