The killing of unarmed Black youths by cops and vigilantes has become tragically common in newspaper headlines, but it's only when the topic is explored in film — such as in 2012's Fruitvale Station — that we get a deeper understanding of the causes and implications of police brutality. 
An upcoming documentary about Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old boy who was shot to death at a Florida gas station by a white customer who objected to the music playing in his car, aims to do just that. 

COMMENTARY: JUSTICE IS FINALLY SERVED FOR JORDAN DAVIS

3 1/2 Minutes, directed by Marc Silver, has been picked up for broadcast after its premiere in documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival this year. The film explores "the aftermath of Jordan's tragic death, the latent and often unseen effects of racism, and the contradictions of the American criminal justice system."
"I am grieved that these continuing stories are everyday matters swept away,” says Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films. "By bringing this powerful film to HBO audiences, we hope to elevate the national conversation around these tragic issues."
"When we started this journey, our aim was make sure that Jordan’s story was not going to be forgotten, that he would not become a statistic in an increasingly violent world; this is why we are so fortunate to be partnering with HBO and Participant Media for the distribution of 3 1/2 Minutes," says Silver. "We are now certain that Jordan’s story will reach the widest, most diverse audience possible."
HBO will air the documentary in the fall.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Jordan Russell Davis/Facebook)