Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary from 2012 is a unique, thought-provoking, and gripping documentary film that addresses the life and times of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Directed by Stephen Vittoria, the film paints a vibrant image through interviews, archive footage, narratives, and visual timelines.

The documentary features the likes of Cornel West, Angela Davis, and Alice Walker, amongst others, who lend their voices to recount the revolutionary life of Mumia, one of the world's best-known political prisoners. The film defines Abu-Jamal by his prolific work as a journalist and writer from Pennsylvania's death row, rather than his widely known legal case that led to his incarceration.

The film takes a deep dive into Abu-Jamal's upbringing in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. It portrays the complex socio-political and racial landscape of his childhood during the 1950s and 60s, which had a significant influence on his ideological and philosophical perspectives. The documentary meticulously traces his formative experiences of black militancy, which slowly propelled him to becoming an active member of the Black Panther Party at the tender age of 15.

West, Walker, and Davis actively contribute to the discourse on Abu-Jamal as they analyze his role as a documentarian of the black experience in America. They describe how his strong pen and distinctive voice have effectively shed light on the plight of racial minorities and marginalized sections of society, giving them a voice and challenging the status quo. Along with these distinguished intellectuals, other contributors include Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Dick Gregory, Peter Coyote, Ruby Dee, M-1 (Dead Prez), Ricardo Cortes, and many more. The film does not ignore the controversies that surround Abu-Jamal, but Vittoria carefully paints a broader, more holistic picture of his journalistic integrity and commitment to social justice.

One of the film's most intriguing aspects is that it superbly highlights how Abu-Jamal, despite his grim circumstances, breathed life into journalism from the dark confines of death row. He produced numerous radio commentaries, seven books, and thousands of written works which were broadcasted worldwide and published in languages such as Japanese, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. The high quality and depth of his work had a global reach and impact, contributing significantly to his international recognition as a symbol of resistance against racial injustice and the prison-industrial complex.

Vittoria ensures that the audience sits through a more nuanced and complex ideological and historical journey in revisiting the dissident voice of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Far from a bland historical reportorial or chronological autobiographical recount, the film borrows from formats of essayistic traditions in pushing the boundaries of representing an individual's life. As such, the documentary stands out as unique in using the work of Abu-Jamal to initiate fundamental conversations around issues of race, economy, and the machinery of justice in the United States.

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary is a powerful and enlightening exploration of Abu-Jamal's life and struggle, enriched by the significant contributions from the featured speakers, including Cornel West, Alice Walker, and Angela Davis, and masterfully directed by Stephen Vittoria. It is more than just a traditional biographical film, transcending to become a challenging and provocative cultural and political discourse seeking to question the socio-political dynamics of the times that continue till today.

In all, the film is a must-watch for people interested in social justice, journalism, and the exploration of the power of voice and pen in creating an impact even in the grimmest of circumstances. It serves as a critical commentary on the state of justice, racism, and policing in the United States and ultimately a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Mumia Abu-Jamal.