The Murder of Stephen Lawrence
Winner Bafta 2000 Best Single Drama
This powerful drama is the summation of the Lawrences' struggle to procure justice for their son Stephen, murdered in an unprovoked attack at a bus stop in Eltham, South London in 1993 by white racist thugs. It followed two documentaries made by Vanson Productions for C4 in which, for the first time, Doreen & Neville spoke in depth about their experiences. See all these films at the British Film Institute or visit www.bfi.org.uk.
The determination of the Lawrences to receive justice led them to pursue a protracted legal process – involving a failed public prosecution, a failed private prosecution, a successful inquest culminating in the hugely important Macpherson Inquiry which labelled the Metropolitan Police “institutionally racist”. The over 70 recommendations have resulted in a transformation of many areas of policy – and the examination of this type of racism in other public organisations. Still much remains to be done – and Stephen’s killers remain at large.
Reviews
click to download