Colorblind (2023) Movie Script
1
[soft piano music plays]
[music fades]
[Magdalene] Monet.
Monet!
Hey.
[grunts]
Can you watch these boxes
while I get
the other ones up?
What if someone
tries to take something?
[Magdalene] You just ask them
politely to freeze,
while you're sketching
for the police.
[she chuckles]
[she coughs]
[door creaks shut]
[she coughs]
Can you help your mama out,
please?
Mom, I'm painting.
Is that how you gonna be
the man of the house?
Mom, why can't you have
more sons,
so we can take turns
being the man?
It's exhausting.
Yeah, I'm exhausted already.
[chuckles]
[sighs] I wish
you don't ever have to grow up
to be a man in this world.
Especially a Black man.
Sorry, babe, let me just
put that there for a sec.
Are these my toys?
Hey, be careful.
Those are fragile, okay?
-[box crashes on floor]
-Monet!
Jesus, not this one.
[Monet] Sorry.
You know, your dad got this
for me as a wedding gift.
If you look
on the bright side,
now it's gonna remind you more
of Dad when you look at it.
Your tongue
is a good enough reminder.
[he chuckles]
Mom, why everything
looks different here?
[Magdalene]
What do you mean, baby?
The homes,
the people, the streets.
Everything is much brighter.
It's not like back home.
Yeah, it's different, but...
you'll have
a brighter future.
And you'll go
to a different school
and see brighter looking kids.
Do you know what?
I bet you shine brighter
than all of them.
[she chuckles]
What if they don't like me,
'cause we don't look alike?
Hey,
what do I always tell you?
You can only see
the true color of a diamond
through a shining light.
There's a...
There's a rainbow
in everyone
if we just look beyond
our deceiving sight.
Right.
[chuckles] All right,
let me see your masterpiece.
I think
that girl across the street
could see my rainbow.
Stay here.
I'll be right back, okay?
I'm scared of cops.
Baby, hey.
They smell fear, remember?
What you gonna be,
a lion or a lamb?
A lion.
That's my boy.
I'll be right back.
[door clicks open]
[door clicks shut]
Hey, officer.
Everything okay?
Are these your items?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, I just moved here.
Anything wrong, officer...
Clinton?
Well, you know,
you're blocking the public path.
[Officer Clinton]
May I check your ID?
It's my hair.
I-- I used to
straighten it back then.
You know,
my mom used to say
a Black woman should never ever
straighten her hair.
You ever see a lion
playing with its mane?
Ma'am, ma'am.
Please, step aside.
I need to check
the content of the boxes.
[Magdalene]
May I ask why?
[Officer Clinton] We've had
a few concerning calls
from neighbors.
I'm just doing my job.
What a warm welcome.
Hey, can you just
be a little more gentle?
That's my son's toys.
-How old is your son?
-Nine.
Isn't he too young
to be around guns?
Leave my toys alone!
[Magdalene] Monet, stop!
Hey,
what are you doing?
Hey, stop!
Don't you fucking
point your gun at my son.
This is how
you're raising your child?
Leave my mom alone!
Hey, it's--
it's just a game.
Okay?
We're just playing a game.
[Monet]
So, she's not a real cop?
No.
Certainly not.
[somber music plays]
Look at you growing
all big and tall.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
All right.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
[Magdalene] Hey,
can you stop that please?
-But it's fun.
-Yeah, well, not for me.
[Magdalene sighs
and clears throat]
Okay, hey, come here,
come here, come here.
Do me a favor.
Okay.
Can you show me
where this color is?
I don't know.
Okay, look, we know
that the card says what?
Green?
Right, so,
if the label's green,
take this and match it
with something else
in this apartment.
Mmm.
Close.
I can't tell.
[Magdalene] Try again.
Try a little harder.
Mmm...
[Magdalene groans]
Okay.
-I can't tell.
-Okay.
What do we know
for sure is green?
-The tree.
-That's right.
[Magdalene] Careful.
Good one!
-[Monet] Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay, what else?
I don't know.
Give me a clue.
[Magdalene laughs]
Is the sky always blue?
-Not always.
-Mom, look at the sun.
Hey, don't look up there
too long, okay?
I like how bright it is.
Yeah, but, Monet,
you're gonna go blind
if you stare too long.
I'm already blind.
Monet, you're not blind.
Says the blind.
Monet, we're colorblind.
Well, that's still blind.
-[indistinct]
-Monet, I don't want to hear it.
[Magdalene] Stop. Please.
Okay, listen, there are people
that can see color,
but that doesn't make them
any different than we are.
People label colors
just like we do.
They just do it
in their minds.
But, look, we got
a better imagination, right?
[Monet] Mmm.
[Monet] What colors
do you see in the sky?
I see pink and red.
Like a giant pomegranate.
Like a giant pomegranate.
Where'd you get
all that imagination?
Can we eat
pomegranates tonight?
[groans] Baby, I don't think
there are enough pomegranates
on this planet
to satisfy your appetite.
We haven't had any
since we moved here.
All right, all right,
um, when we're done
furnishing the apartment,
I'll run out and grab
some pomegranates, okay?
Can you come
help me with this map?
Grab that side.
Did you know that
where we originally come from,
there's tons of
pomegranate trees?
Can we move back?
Maybe. One day.
[slow piano instrumental plays]
Yes? Can I help you?
Hi, Mr. Walton.
Sorry to bother you.
How do you know my name?
I'm the new tenant
downstairs.
New tenant?
Yes, I'm Magdalene.
The rental management told me
just to pay you directly--
Hold on, there must be
some kind of mistake.
I'm expecting
a Magdalene Whyte.
Yeah, that's me.
W-H-Y-T-E.
I know it's weird
seeing a Black person
with a white last name,
like, literally Whyte.
[laughs]
Huh, strange.
But management informed me
that an old white woman
was here
looking for an apartment
for her daughter.
Yes, that was my mom,
she was helping me out.
She used to live
around this area.
Your mom?
Is this
some kind of a joke?
[she sighs]
All right, let me explain
before you think I'm crazy.
So, I was adopted
by a white woman.
She couldn't have
any kids of her own,
so, she raised me...
and she gave me
the good Catholic name,
Magdalene,
and, of course,
I took her last name
and so here we are.
[Walton] Huh.
Believe me, if I could pick
a Black family, I would,
for everyone's convenience
and clarity.
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
Right, uh, so,
here is this month's rent
and deposit.
-Thanks.
-Wait, wait.
I want to count it first.
Make sure you didn't give me
more than I asked for.
[both chuckling awkwardly]
We good?
We good?
Um, there was a boy
in the application.
That's my son, Monet.
-Monet?
-Mm-hmm.
I named him
after my favorite artist.
French impressionist artist?
Was going blind
through his career,
but still painted anyway?
-No?
-No. Don't know.
[Magdalene] Mm-hmm.
Where's the father?
He's not with us.
Oh.
So, you have a man
or someone to look after?
Look, um, are we good?
Can I go?
-So I can--
-Yeah, I, uh.
-I'll just get your receipt.
-Thanks.
Got a nice place.
Could use some color, though.
I'd love to give you
one of my paintings.
[Walton]
I hate colors.
Of course.
-You paint, huh?
-Yup.
Professionally?
Yeah, that's why I moved here.
I got an invitation
from the city's
Contemporary Art Gallery
and I hope to use that
to help pay
for my son's education.
Hmm.
You know,
the gallery's closed, yeah?
Look, you'll get your money
on time, okay?
Well, I'm gonna need
last month's rent.
What do you mean?
Well,
you said you paint, right?
So?
I'm gonna need last month's rent
in case something happens.
[sighs]
In case what happens?
Look.
I'm a retired firefighter.
I assess risk for a living.
Given this current situation,
it seems highly unlikely
to be able
to keep up with the rent.
And, uh, your damage deposit
won't be enough
to clean the cheap paint
off my expensive furniture.
I'm sorry, cheap paint?
Yeah.
My apartment, my rules.
You're lucky
I accepted your application.
-Unknowingly.
-Still.
A lot of landlords
in this neighborhood
wouldn't be so open-minded.
Well, thank you
for your open-mindedness,
but I don't have
that kind of money for you.
I mean, there must be some
kind of renters' protection,
or some human rights.
Look, you do
what you have to do...
but I'm a firefighter
and you don't play with fire.
[sighs]
[eerie music plays]
[wheezing and coughing]
[inhaling]
[gasping and coughing]
[panting]
[gasping for air]
[Mr. Walton chuckles]
Uh, bet you don't have
colored neighbor problems
where you are, Mr. Jackson.
[sighs]
All right.
[plays mellow piano melody]
[coughing]
-Sorry. [coughs]
-Asthma, huh?
Damn.
I think I heard
this is a good brand.
Yeah, it gets worse
in the winter.
[she clears throat]
Uh, you know what?
I-- I'll take that another time.
Okay, well...
I think I'm gonna need one
of these inhalers my damn self.
-[he laughs]
-Excuse me?
Well, girl...
you so fine...
[sighs] ...you're taking
my breath away.
[laughs]
Oh, Lord. All right.
I bet you say that
to all the ladies
-that come in here.
-Oh, no, no, no.
Just to a fine sister like you
with a sense of humor.
See, I can't be myself
around these other folks.
-If you know what I mean.
-Yeah.
The name's Benyah.
You new here, right?
Yeah. Magdalene.
Just moved in.
With my son, actually.
These are all for him.
-[she chuckles]
-He must love pomegranates.
Oh, he's obsessed with them.
Jesus, $25?
What is this?
Some forbidden fruit?
-Uh.
-It's not even red.
[chuckles] Well...
let me tell you a secret.
You see,
I call these
diaspora pomegranates.
Taken from their native land.
Trying to blend
into their new home
for over 400 years.
But don't be deceived
by their exterior...
because deep down,
they haven't forgotten
who they are,
their true colors.
They know who they are
and where they come from.
Do you?
That one's coming
out of your pocket, Benyah.
Oh, yeah, don't worry
about that, Alvin,
I'll put all these
on my-- on my tab.
-Oh, no, I can't allow that.
-Yes, you can.
Just consider it
a welcome gift.
[chuckles] Okay. Thanks.
[Magdalene laughs] Wow.
You okay?
Ooh, okay, okay, okay.
Don't drip it.
-You'll spill everywhere.
-So good.
Did you do your homework?
No homework,
it's winter break.
Okay, school is closed,
but education is not.
You don't stop learning
just 'cause they tell you to.
But I want to
be a painter like you.
Oh, baby.
This world is too cruel
to artists.
Plus, I want to make sure
you get an education
that I wasn't able to have,
okay?
So that
when the opportunities come,
you just catch it.
[cartoon sound effects on TV]
[orchestral cartoon music plays]
Let me show you
what I learned today.
You see this pomegranate?
See all the seeds
stick together?
That's how
we gotta stick together.
You know, sometimes life,
it's gonna be tough on you.
It's going to squeeze you...
pressure you
to every last drop exactly.
But...
even then...
we stay together.
Like a pomegranate.
-Like a pomegranate.
-Mm-hmm, lock it in.
-Like a pomegranate seed, baby.
-Like a pomegranate.
[both laugh]
All right, here you go.
-To our new home.
-And my new friends.
-Cheers.
-[glasses clink]
Oh. Oh!
Excuse me.
Where did you learn that from?
I've seen how you drink.
Wait, so you're telling me
I'm raising a little spy?
What else have you seen?
[playful piano music plays]
[laughs] Oh, wow. Okay.
Just gonna embarrass me
like that, huh?
Okay, great.
Go to your room.
Go to your room.
-[Monet laughing]
-You're on punishment.
Ten days.
No video games, no nothing.
-[playing on piano]
-[muffled shouting]
[muffled reggae music playing]
[indistinct lyrics]
[indistinct] power
right to the man
Each is gifted,
each of us is free
But we have to unlock
your soul, destiny
We are not powerless,
sir, no
Or agents of the state
What're you doing?
And you may be vague
But, Jah,
he makes us all the same
Oh, sing, da da da da da da,
da da da da da da
Oh, did that hurt?
Da da da da da da,
da da da da da da
Come together
brothers we be
And collapse the man
[indistinct]
We are not
indentured slaves, no
Or agents of the state
[indistinct]
There's one more story
we need
[playing on piano]
[muffled reggae music playing]
[knocking on floor] Hey!
Turn down that jungle music!
Turn down that jungle music!
[groans]
[music stops]
Anyways, you ready to eat?
Okay, there you go, baby.
Uh, hi, hello?
Did you forget something?
What would your Dad do
if he was here?
I don't know.
I wasn't born yet.
[mockingly] I wasn't born yet.
He would say his prayers first.
Come on.
Get to do grace.
Ah! Colorblind, not blind.
[scoffs] Go ahead.
Dear Lord.
Thank you for
the colorful dish
and helping us see things
as you created them.
Excuse me, I hope
you're not mocking God.
[sighs] Okay.
You know what?
Hold on.
-Yeah.
-No.
You're not gonna--
you're not gonna eat yet.
You need to do
a good deed today first.
But why?
-But why?
-I'm hungry?
Oh, you're hungry?
And you haven't did
your deed either.
Uh, I'm sorry,
who's the mom, me or you?
-You.
-Yeah.
What does the Lord
say about neighbors?
Avoid your neighbors.
Monet.
-Love your neighbors.
-Very good.
So...
I want you to take this up
to the landlord, okay?
And make sure you politely
introduce yourself,
you understand?
But why?
Because...
a good deed
goes a long way.
No, because
you didn't pay enough rent.
What? Hey.
I overheard you.
Hey, uh, first of all,
you shouldn't do that
and I did pay, and...
listen, it's not about
paying rent, okay?
It's about paying respect.
Sometimes people need kindness
more than they need money.
Oh, wait, but one thing,
don't tell him about
your color blindness, okay?
But why?
Because we don't know him.
And sometimes people
like to take advantage
of the disadvantaged people.
-All right?
-[Monet] Mm-hmm.
You don't want to show
anyone your weakness.
Remember when your friends
made fun of you at school?
When they found out?
-Yeah.
-[Magdalene] All right.
Go ahead.
Uh, you know what?
Hold on a sec. Come here.
Uh, yeah.
There you go.
It's a symbol
of peace, okay?
Right in there.
[Walton]
Black Lives Matter.
Well, I say all lives matter
and to protect our lives
in this chaotic country
that we live in,
uh, I'm asking you
as a retired firefighter
to, uh--
oh, no, no, no, no wait.
We need law and order.
That's it.
Law and order
and as a retired firefighter,
I'm asking you people
to extinguish
the destructive flames
of thugs and criminals
in our streets.
-[sighs]
-[knocking on door]
Oh, for crying out loud.
[knocking on door]
-Yes?
-Hi, I'm Monet.
Hello. What do you want?
My Mom asked me
to bring this dish to you,
but don't eat
the flower though,
that's just the symbol
of peace, I guess.
Yeah, well,
that's very nice of your Mom,
but I'd rather be
alone in peace.
Thank you very much.
You can eat alone in peace.
Here.
[sighs]
Okay, tell you what.
You stay here.
I'll be back with the plate.
Holy moly,
was that ever good!
Oh, delicious!
Man, oh, man.
[groans]
[sighs]
There you go.
All in one go, all done.
Delicious.
That was fast.
Yeah, well, you tell your Mom,
thanks very much,
but, uh, I'd rather see
the overdue rent
on a plate next time.
She said sometimes people need
kindness more than money.
Is that so?
You wait here.
[chuckles] I'll give you
a symbol of peace.
[tea kettle whistles]
Peace out.
[gentle music playing]
[sighs] How'd it go?
Why did he give you these?
As a symbol of peace,
I guess.
Did-- did I do
something wrong?
No, baby, you didn't.
No. Listen.
I don't ever want you
talking to that man again.
You understand?
But you said kindness
goes a long way.
Yeah, I was wrong.
He's a giant
and giants
have the smallest hearts.
Come here.
Come here.
Okay.
Hold still, hold still.
Don't move, don't move.
Voila!
Now, you just gotta keep it on
for ten minutes, okay?
Can I keep it on longer?
[Magdalene]
No, baby, no, you can't.
Do bright people
have bright colors?
What?
My friend Abby
used to tell me that.
Let me show you something.
I want you to think about...
how much you love me.
Really feel it, okay?
Okay.
Now, still feel
the same love for me?
Okay, good.
How about...
now?
Still feel
the same love for me?
Okay, see?
Doesn't matter
how you look on the outside.
If someone has love
in their heart for you
or hate...
the outside doesn't change.
On the inside...
you still feel the same.
You understand?
Yep.
Why do we have
to look different?
[Magdalene] Hmm, well...
Look, you think
these masks look different,
but they're not.
They have the same essence,
just different colors.
Listen.
What's really important...
and the most
important thing is...
having fun.
-[water splashing]
-[both laughing]
Okay, okay, okay, okay!
You know, Shelby,
we gotta get you a mate.
Yeah.
No, me. Me?
[laughs] I'm not alone.
I don't--
I don't need anyone.
You worry about yourself.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, she would have made
a great mother, you know.
Look at that. Yeah.
And you would have made
a great babysitter.
Here you go. Good boy.
[sighs]
Are you going
to your new gallery tomorrow?
-Uh, yes, but not for long.
-Can I come?
No, baby,
children aren't allowed.
But you said
I wasn't a child anymore.
I said you need to stop
acting like a child.
I am technically
the man of this house.
Hmm, well, technically
you'll still be my child
even when you have great peach
fuzz growing on your booty.
-[Magdalene laughs]
-That's gross!
Mom, I wish I'd met Dad.
What was he like?
Well, he was...
very cute...
and curious.
Just like you.
[giggles]
[grunts]
Okay!
[sighs]
Mom, what happens
when people die?
[Magdalene] Let me
show you something.
So over here.
There are just lights...
and then you cross over
to the other side...
they become a rainbow.
See that?
Your Daddy could be up there
in all those colors.
All right, it's time for bed.
-[Monet] Good night, Mom.
-Thank you.
[birds chirping]
Now let's find
my babies a new home.
Now, which one?
[hums]
[road din]
[sighs] Just freezing
my ass off all day.
[woman] Not
the best time to sell.
Yeah, tell me about it,
I've been here all day
and nothing.
This would be a lot easier
if it was in my gallery.
[woman] Your gallery?
Yeah, that's--
that's why I moved here.
These pieces are supposed
to be in my exhibition
for the, uh,
Contemporary Art Gallery.
[woman] Oh,
you mean the MOCA Gallery?
Yes. You know it?
[woman] Everyone knows it,
it's very prestigious.
It's too sad
they had to close down.
Well, you know what?
Art must go on, right?
[laughs]
You know what? I would love
to give you a discount
since you're
my first customer here.
[woman] Well, let me see.
Hey, guys.
[woman] How much for the yellow
and green one right there?
Uh...
yellow and green.
Um... [clears throat]
Uh, this one?
[woman] No, the--
no, the one
that's mainly yellow
with the green line,
right-- right there,
over there.
Do you mind pointing out
which one exactly you wanted?
[woman]
Are you sure they're yours?
Oh, yeah, they're mine.
I-- I painted them.
[woman] I-- I don't want
to get in any trouble.
What-- what trouble?
There's no trouble.
I painted them, they're mine.
I-- I'm colorblind.
Oh, come on!
[thunder cracks]
Of course. Thank you.
[soft music playing]
[groans]
I started as a surrealist,
but after today?
Yeah, that rain turned me
into an impressionist. [laughs]
To my new mentor,
the rain.
[knocking on door]
[Monet]
Mom, I need to pee.
Baby, let me spend
a little more time
in this surreal reality
before you drag me back.
[sighs]
[Monet] I need to pee!
Okay, it's open.
Come in.
Some privacy, please.
Boy, ain't nobody
looking at you.
Hey, and lift up the lid.
You said you weren't looking!
I-- I have ears,
so I can hear.
What are you still doing up?
I had a nightmare.
Oh, come here,
tell me what happened.
You know what you were?
So colorful.
Wait. You dream in colors?
[Magdalene chuckles]
That's weird.
What happened?
[Monet] You were laid down
still without breathing,
so calm and so silent,
then slowly a huge rainbow
coming out of your mouth.
[laughs] Okay.
A rainbow?
Out of my mouth?
You really dreaming in colors?
Yeah, I swear to Dad.
Okay. Okay, all right.
I believe you.
I don't think
I can go back to sleep.
Oh, okay, baby.
Go back to bed.
I'm gonna come in there
in just a minute, okay?
Okay.
[chuckles]
My baby's seeing colors.
Okay.
[sighs]
What should I name this one?
Oh, good Lord.
Yikes.
Gosh.
Okay, how's it going
over here, baby?
It doesn't look as happy.
[Magdalene] Yeah,
I told you not to pick it.
Flowers are never as happy
when they're separated
from the soil.
[Monet] What do we do?
Um...
why don't we take it outside,
on the patio?
Get some sunlight.
Wait, wait hold on.
I'll give you your coat.
Here.
[door creaks open]
[Monet] Good morning.
-Nice flag.
-What's that?
Nice flag.
-[Magdalene coughs]
-I have the same one, see?
[Walton] Oh, yeah.
It's not the same thing, Monet.
It looks the same.
It's not the same,
it's a different color.
[Monet]
But it looks the same.
But it's a different color
with different meeting, okay?
[Monet] It looks the same.
[Magdalene] All right,
but it's different.
Come on, let's just
keep fixing this.
[coughing]
Excuse me,
do you mind putting that out?
[Walton] What's that?
I have asthma, so you mind
while we're out here
if you could
just put that out?
Hey, I'm just sitting up here
having a smoke on my side.
Keep your smoke
to your side then.
Hey, talk to the wind, kid.
Monet, let's go.
When are you gonna pay the rent?
-Talk to the wind, giant!
-[Magdalene] Monet!
Sorry about that. Soon.
Monet, careful,
careful, careful,
you'll get your shirt dirty.
I just washed that.
[coughs]
Hey, guys. How can help you?
How much is this one?
You know what?
I can give that to you for 550.
510, we got a deal.
Yeah, okay. Sure.
Thanks.
You only got hundreds?
You have enough change?
You know what, these days,
all I got is change.
Let me check.
Okay.
20, 40, 90.
Here you go.
I'd take that other one
if you can make the same deal.
You-- you want one too?
Okay, yeah, sure.
[laughing] Where do you
get this money from?
[train rattling]
Rich neighborhood, dude,
rich kids.
You sell on the street,
you gotta have mutual trust.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
One sec. Thanks.
[sighs] There you go.
Thanks.
Hey, thank you guys so much.
Thank you. [laughs]
You know what?
Hey, when the gallery opens,
I'll invite you out,
and you can appreciate those
on the wall.
[squealing with joy, laughing]
'Cause what?
I'm an artist, duh!
All right,
let's pack this up, okay.
[soft piano melody playing]
[footsteps approaching]
Girl, you sold
those paintings,
you sure did sell
those paintings. [laughs]
You're kidding me.
[piano melody playing louder]
[indistinct]
[sighs]
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved
A wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now, am found
Was blind
But now, I see
[Magdalene coughing]
[breathing heavily]
[coughing]
[panting] Shit.
Oh, shit.
Okay, wait, wait, my inhaler.
My inhaler, God.
Oh, fuck, okay.
Okay, okay, it's okay.
[panting, coughing]
[ominous instrumental playing]
-What do you want?
-Where's your mom?
[Monet] She left
to go get something.
Yeah. She what?
She left to go get
some pomegranates.
You mean at the grocery store?
Well, how long ago
did she leave?
Just a few minutes ago.
Right.
[Monet] Do you want
some pomegranates too?
No, I don't want
any goddamn pomegranates.
[sinister instrumental
music playing]
[Walton sighs]
Yeah, hi, yeah.
This is Walton Gray.
I'd just like
to report a fraud.
Yeah, my-- my new tenant
just tried to pay the rent
with counterfeit money.
Well, the colors were off,
I'm not fucking blind.
Sorry. Sorry.
[sighs] No...
[officer] What does
she look like again?
[Walton]
Bushy brown hair,
uh, she was wearing
a white jacket.
-[officer] Black, White?
-[Walton] Black.
-Uh, about 5'7, 5'8.
-[officer] All right.
[Walton] That's her, officer.
That's her right there!
[officer] It's okay,
thank you, thank you.
-[siren wailing]
-Hi, there.
Just stay right there,
don't move,
I just want to talk to you.
I-- I just want to
ask you a few questions.
Just don't move.
Stay right there.
Stay right there,
no, no, no!
-I didn't do anything wrong!
-[officer] No, no!
-I-- I said stop, don't move!
-[electric buzzing]
Gotcha! Gotcha!
[Magdalene groaning]
[officer] Face down,
don't move--
What the hell is that?
A little extra tight,
just for you, huh?
-[handcuffs rattling]
-[officer grunts]
[breathing heavily]
[officer] Suspect
is a Black woman in her 30s.
Average build, under arrest
for disobeying the order.
[radio chimes]
[screams]
Get off of me, I can't breathe.
[officer] Oh, stop
with that clich bullshit.
I'm nowhere near your neck.
[sobbing]
-I didn't do anything wrong.
-[officer] No? No?
Then why the hell
did you run away from me?
-Why'd you run?
-[sobbing] I was scared.
Stop resisting or I will
taze you again, you hear me?
And fuck your pomegranate.
[sobbing loudly]
[officer] Okay, all right,
let me see something.
Hold on.
What's your name, huh?
Magdalene Whyte.
What do you do for a living,
Magdalene?
[sobbing, coughing]
-I'm a painter.
-[officer] Oh, you paint?
Are you an artist,
or a con artist?
[Magdalene] What?
Look familiar to you?
You buy a lot of things
with these counterfeit bills?
Counterfeit money?
What are you talking about?
Those boys, they gave it to me.
[muffled radio chatter]
[officer] Yeah, I've got her.
I'm heading there right now.
What's the address?
[muffled chatter on radio]
[officer] Well, apparently,
it's not the first time
you've been using
these counterfeit bills, huh?
What?
You are in big trouble, sister.
-Get up! I said get up!
-[Magdalene groaning]
[officer] Come on.
[officer grunting, panting]
I hate this ghetto shit,
and I fucking hate
pomegranates.
Come on.
Counterfeit money, huh?
[Magdalene] I swear,
I don't know, I didn't know!
[officer] Oh, you do,
or you couldn't tell why?
What, you blind or something?
[Magdalene breathing heavily]
[officer] What is it?
Say it, spit it out. Come on.
[Magdalene] I'm colorblind.
[officer laughing]
You're a colorblind artist
who paints, do you think
I'm stupid or something?
Get them away.
There's nothing to see here.
There's nothing to see.
Back off.
I said back off!
[sirens wailing]
Now, listen to me.
I'm going to gather
the rest of the evidence,
and you better come up
with a better excuse
by the time I get back here.
[man] Fuck off, man,
let her go.
-[breathing heavily]
-[man] Come on, who are you?
You okay?
How sweet the sound
That saved
A wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now, am found
Was blind
But now, I see
Stars and trees
Their strange fruits
Blood on the leaves
And blood at the root
Black body swinging
In the summer breeze
Strange fruit hanging
From the poplar tree
[music fades]
Now, she's claiming
to be an artist of some kind.
-A painter. Any truth to that?
-Yeah, yeah.
Uh, she's probably
made a big mess
of my apartment already.
Look, officer,
how can I get my money back?
We'll deal with that
soon enough.
Now, do you know anything
about her being colorblind?
Colorblind?
[laughs] Well,
think about it, officer.
She makes her living
as a painter for Christ's sakes.
I wouldn't believe
anything she says.
In fact, I think
her ID's all fake.
You gonna run a check on it?
-I'm asking the questions here.
-[Walton] Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.
Now, you see people coming
in and out of her apartment?
Maybe she's got
others helping her?
Does she live alone?
No, no, she has a son
living with her.
He told me that she's gone
down to the store.
And where is he?
Just down below us.
-How old is he?
-I don't know, eight or nine.
It's hard to tell
with that black skin.
Can't see too clearly.
Right.
-Can you show me?
-Yeah, yeah, it's, uh...
just right down there.
Uh, 201.
[officer] All right.
You'll just stay here?
I'll be back in a few.
[Walton] Okay.
-Hello.
-Hi, there.
Are you a cop?
-Mm-hmm.
-Can I see your badge?
[clears throat] Sure.
Sorry, my mom says
"Always be careful around cops."
[officer] What's your name?
Monet.
Well, listen, Monet,
I'm here because of your mom.
[Monet] Where is she?
Don't worry.
She's safe, she's with us.
Now, I'm more worried.
[clears throat] Look.
Not all of us are bad guys.
We're just showing her
around the neighborhood.
We'll bring her back soon.
-Can I come?
-Oh, no. I'm sorry, buddy.
You're too young
to come with us,
but I'll tell you what.
When you're old enough,
I'll show you
around the neighborhood.
[Monet] I won't go anywhere
without my mom.
Right, of course.
Now, listen to me, Monet, um,
do you have any relatives
or other family in town
that we could call
to come watch over you?
Nobody at all?
Only my grandma back home.
But she's far, far away.
Okay, well, in that case then,
um, your mom probably wants you
to stay
with Mr. Walton over there
until she comes back.
-The giant? No, thanks.
-[officer] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Just for a few hours.
I'd rather be alone.
Well, I-- I don't think
that's such a good idea, okay?
It's just for a little while.
If you don't help me,
then I can't help
to bring your mom back.
You understand me?
Promise you bring her back.
Oh, uh, Monet,
one last thing.
Do you know
if your mom is colorblind?
Uh...
Is she?
It's very important
for us to know.
No, she-- she's not weak.
[officer] Okay, good.
Now, why don't you
pack up some stuff,
Mr. Walton
will come by to get you.
All right?
It'll be fun. I promise.
[sighs]
Okay, um...
look, I need you
to babysit the kid
'til we figure out
the situation.
No fucking way.
I don't think so.
Look, I can't bring him
with me, all right?
There's too much responsibility.
Besides, we don't want
to see this kid
watch his mom going through
this kind of an ordeal.
-It's not his fault.
-Hey, it's not my fault either.
I'm the victim here.
You're
a retired firefighter, correct?
[Walton sighs] Yes.
Well, just think of this
as a fire drill, all right?
Look, I'm trying
to put out a fire here.
-[Walton sighs]
-[officer] All right?
Hey, you want to kick them out
when she comes back? Great.
But until then, I need you
to babysit this kid,
to take care of him,
'til the smoke clears.
Will I get
my money back pretty soon?
Yeah, I'll do
everything in my power.
[sighs]
Yeah.
[indistinct chattering
on radio]
I'll be right there.
I gotta go, okay?
I have all your contact info,
I will be in touch.
-Remember, fire drill.
-Yeah.
[Walton sighs]
[drink glugging]
What?
Can you pass the pepper, please?
It's the red one.
Hello.
The red one.
What, you not hungry?
I'm starving.
What are you
waiting for? Eat.
I can't eat.
What do you mean you can't eat?
'Cause it's not fried chicken?
I'm vegan.
I'm sorry, what?
I can't eat meat.
I'm vegan.
[laughing] That's ridiculous.
A Black vegan kid.
What a messed-up world
we live in, I tell you.
So I can't be Black,
because I'm vegan,
or I can't be vegan,
because I'm Black?
Oh, well, excuse me
for not being prepared to,
uh, take care of
a Black vegan kid.
What, do you want
some ice cream, Your Majesty?
Is it made
with non-dairy milk?
Oh, for fuck's sakes,
come on.
You said the F-word.
-Yeah, so what?
-You need to rinse your mouth.
[Walton sighs]
There. Happy?
Oh, what do vegan kids eat?
Ah, ooh.
There.
That vegan enough for you?
[Walton sighs]
[knife clacking on wood]
Do you want to go to juvie?
Okay, "They say
Black lives matter,
well, I say all lives matter.
[sighs] [indistinct].
Blue lives matter,
police lives matter.
[mumbling]
No Black people--"
what?
What are you memorizing?
You wouldn't understand.
[Monet] I heard you
practicing it.
It's about
all lives matter, right?
What?
You eavesdropping on me?
I know how hard it is
to memorize something.
I used to be the same at school,
but they taught us
a trick that really helped.
A trick?
Apparently, some people
are better at looking skills,
and some better
at listening skills.
I guess,
you're the first kind,
so it's best for you
to listen to memorize.
But it's true, it's true,
you know, when I was a kid...
I was a great listener.
I used to spend hours
listening to the piano.
So what's this trick?
Have someone read it to you
over and over
until it gets
into your big, giant head.
-"They say Black lives matter."
-[Walton] "Black lives matter."
-"We say all lives matter."
-[Walton] "All lives matter."
-"Police lives matter."
-[Walton] "Police lives."
-"Law matters."
-[Walton] "Law matters."
[Monet] "Order matters."
[Walton] Yeah.
-"Blue lives matter."
-[Walton] "Blue lives matter."
"Let Black lives matter
to Blacks and their own
Black neighborhood."
[Walton]
"Let Black lives matter
to Blacks and their own
Black neighborhood."
"Let them keep their crimes away
from us in their streets."
[Walton] "Let them
keep their crimes,
uh, out of our neighborhood,
off our streets."
Is that right?
Just forget it. Move on.
"We're offering
a peaceful solution."
[Walton] "We're offering
a future solution."
Peaceful.
[Walton]
"A peaceful solution," yeah.
Seg-- gus--
What's segregation?
Um, well, it's, uh, you know,
Whites with Whites
and Blacks with Blacks.
No mixing, you get it?
No mixing, then, how do you get
a colorful palette?
-A what?
-[Monet] My mom mixes
black and white to get gray.
Then, she mixes
yellow and blue to get green.
Then, she paints
a whole colorful garden
with her palate.
Yeah, but that's different.
We're talking about people,
not paints.
So paint can mix,
but not people?
Well, they can mix,
but they shouldn't.
Look at me.
You know
when you're doing your laundry,
you have your whites
and you have your colors,
and you keep them
separate, right?
You don't mix them,
because if you put
the whites with the colors,
the colors
will stain the white.
So you gotta
keep them separate.
So law and order, you see?
-So is my skin stained?
-[Walton] No, no.
That's not what I meant.
What I'm saying
is that you and I
are not the same,
and we never will be, okay?
So did God make us different?
Yeah, I think so.
Does God like
each of us differently?
I don't know, I'm not God.
Why couldn't God make
everyone the same color,
and make them all the same?
Why go through so much trouble
to make us different?
[sighs] Look, can we get back
to work, please?
If we're not the same,
why not divide us
from the beginning,
and put each color
in a different color planet,
so we'd never know
the other one existed?
Then we'd never know
that we're different.
God sounds like a jerk that
wants us to fight on purpose.
Maybe God is the one
who's colorblind.
Jesus Christ, kid.
I'm asking you to help me
with my speech, not give me one.
I'm sorry.
I just miss my mom.
She always says
question things...
until I understand them.
Yeah, I know.
I know,
but some questions just...
just can't be answered.
The truck is blue.
The wall is white.
The light bulb is yellow.
The plant is green.
The tree is green.
The people are all white.
People, white,
people, white, people, white,
people, white, people, white,
people, white,
people, white, people, white.
Hey, hey, hey,
what are you doing?
Stay away from that tree.
Is this a family tree?
I said,
stay away from that tree.
What about my family?
When's my mom coming back?
[Walton] I don't know
just stay away from that tree.
It's a sacred tree.
I miss her and I'm bored.
What do you do
when you're at home and bored?
[Monet grunts]
I paint with my mom.
Yeah, well,
you can't paint here
and I'm not your mom.
Do you have
any games to play?
Uh.
No. Only chess.
And that's not a kid's game.
I can play chess.
[Walton] You can play chess?
[scoffs]
You're a lot smarter
than you look.
[quiet piano instrumental]
Well, I guess we don't have
to assign colors now, do we?
-Let's go.
-[Walton laughs] Good choice.
Okay.
Uh, wait, wait, wait, wait.
White always goes first.
[Monet] I'm sorry, I forgot.
Do you see everything
black and white, too?
-[Walton] Huh?
-Nothing.
[Walton murmuring]
That's it.
You can't keep running away,
I'm gonna catch you.
Now, I'm gonna
punish your queen.
Queen.
And...
checkmate.
[laughing triumphantly]
[phone ringing]
Hold on a second,
I got a phone call.
Yeah, Walton here.
Oh, hello, officer.
Yes, yes.
Uh, yeah, I've been
waiting for your call.
Is it my mom?
What?
The boy's right here, yeah.
Hospital?
What are you talking about?
I thought I said she took him
down to the station?
What have you guys done?
What?
All right,
well, keep me posted.
I'm not a babysitter.
Oh, hey, you can't do that.
Queen's off the board.
My mom says,
no matter how many times
you fall on your face you still
have to get back up to win.
Well, I'll--
I'll make an exception
this time, okay?
Did they say
when my mom's coming back?
Uh, no, but I'm sure
she'll be home soon.
-What's wrong?
-[Walton sighs]
Uh, I don't know,
I'm just a little tired.
I think it's time for my nap.
What about the game?
-You won.
-Huh? I win?
Yeah, you did.
["Symphony No. 5"
by Beethoven playing]
The black queen
claims her island.
Out the white soldiers,
out the white castle.
Out the white bishops.
Out the white king,
your time is up.
Why don't you
make yourself busy
while I take a nap, huh?
Don't wake me up.
What if I'm hungry?
Well, there's some, uh,
some candies in the blue jar
on the counter,
but just take them quietly
and don't wake me up
'cause I get
really grumpy, okay?
Mm-hmm.
[Walton sighs]
[Walton snoring softly]
[floorboard creaks]
[Monet grunts softly]
[Monet grunts]
[Monet gasps]
-[jar clanking]
-[Walton gasps]
Oh, my God.
My sweet Candy.
What the hell have you done?
I told you
the fucking blue jar.
Are you blind or stupid?
No, I-- I'm sorry,
the tortoise scared me.
Sorry's not gonna cut it.
You know what?
If it weren't for that
nigger drunk driver,
my wife would be alive
and you people
can't even leave her
in peace in her own house!
I'll clean it up.
Well, no, no,
you'll clean it up
by getting the hell
out of my neighborhood.
-Come on.
-I'm not going!
Now, look at you.
You know what?
Go back to the jungle
where you came from.
Maybe you'll find
your mother there, huh?
I'm going!
Out! Get out.
Oh, Shelby.
Oh, you poor old thing.
Look at you.
It's tricky going through for--
All right, man, I got you.
You okay?
You're good?
Yeah, of course you are.
Yeah.
[Walton sighs]
[reporter] Magdalene Whyte,
a Black artist,
who was recently arrested
for counterfeit money,
is now in critical condition
after the police locked her up
unattended
in the car to freeze.
According
to the witness footage,
she was abandoned
for 30 minutes
and freezing temperatures
before the officer showed up.
The medical staff
at the hospital confirmed
that Magdalene
had a history of asthma,
which is believed
to worsen her condition.
It was also later revealed
that she was in fact colorblind,
a condition that may have
played a crucial factor
in her arrest and may
also prove her innocence.
A peaceful protest
outside the hospital
is now turning into
a violent clash
between the police
and the protestors
as they are becoming aware
that Magdalene Whyte
unfortunately
just went into a coma.
Let's see
what they have to say.
[indistinct shouting]
[reporter]
What do you have to say?
Magdalene is still in a coma,
but her brothers and sisters
have just woken up.
[chanting] We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
[chanting continues on TV]
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
-We are wide awake!
-[faint beeping]
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
-[fire alarm beeping]
-[Monet coughing]
Oh, Jesus.
[fire alarm keeps beeping]
Monet!
Open the door!
[Monet coughing]
Monet! Oh, my God.
-[Monet coughing]
-Oh, my God!
What are you doing in here?
Come on.
-Let's get you out of here.
-I'm not going with you!
-You have to come!
-I am not going!
-You have to get up. Come on.
-I'm not going!
-Monet, stop it. Stop it!
-Not going with you!
-There's too much smoke.
-Not going, I'm not going!
All right, take it easy.
Here we go, come on.
Let's go upstairs,
get upstairs.
[fire alarm keeps beeping]
Breathe in, breathe out.
There you go.
You're doing good.
All you need
is a little fresh air.
[Walton laughs]
You're gonna be just fine.
That's it.
Keep breathing, keep breathing.
Yeah, you want a--
you want a glass of water?
I'll get you a glass of water.
Hang on.
[Monet sighs]
There you go.
Sip it slowly now.
Now, what were you doing
with all those candles?
I was trying
to pray for my mom.
You know, you're lucky
I'm a firefighter.
You could be dead.
-I'm sorry.
-No, no, I'm sorry.
I overreacted.
I shouldn't have left you alone.
[Walton sighs]
So you're a real firefighter?
Yeah, I'm--
Yes. Well, I was.
How many lives have you saved?
[Walton sighs] Let me see.
Well. [sighs]
Not as many as I wished
I could have.
Is this your wife's room?
Monet--
why didn't you tell the truth?
[Monet] What truth?
That you and your mom
are both colorblind?
It would have
changed everything,
cleared up any
misunderstandings if we knew.
My mom says nothing changes
as long as other person's
still colorblind.
[Walton sighs]
I miss her.
Do you ever miss your mom?
My mom? [scoffs]
Yeah,
I haven't thought about my mom
in a very, very long time.
I can't even remember
what it's like to be a kid.
-[Walton chuckle]
-Do you want to remember?
Try it.
What? Me?
Uh-huh. Yes, you.
Yeah, let's see.
Hang on.
I do red here,
you do blue here.
[Walton] Okay, okay, okay.
So, what do you think?
You're just like a robot.
Let it loose.
Hey, I'm a piano player,
not a painter.
I can only play the piano
with these hands.
Then imagine
you're playing piano with paint.
[Walton] What does that mean?
Hey, hey, hey, be careful.
Don't get it on the floor now.
Whoa, whoa, are you--
are you out of your mind?
Come on!
Come on, try it.
You know something?
I'm trying really,
really hard to like you,
but it's getting
very difficult, boy.
You told me
not to get on the floor.
See? I didn't.
Come on!
Okay, okay.
I got it, I got it, ready?
-[Walton humming]
-[piano music playing]
-Fun, right?
-[Walton grunts]
It is kind of fun, actually.
Nice play, high five.
[indistinct]
What color is this?
Purple!
Hey, you put blue and red
together and you get purple.
Oh.
[Walton] Yeah, oh.
Oh, Candace, my wife...
always wanted to have kids.
[chuckles] Now I know why.
Why didn't you?
Well, we almost did.
And then, uh...
and a drunk driver...
bad car accident...
You know,
the kid we would have had--
had a grandchild
about your age now.
-[electricity crackles]
-[Walton sighs]
-[Monet] What happened?
-[Walton] Oh, this old building.
I'll be back in a minute.
[match crackles]
And now we are cavemen.
[Walton laughing]
You know this--
I don't know what it is,
it's very strange,
but you look
awfully familiar to me.
Maybe you've seen my dad.
My mom says we look the same.
Well, maybe.
I wish you could have
saved him, too.
[Walton]
Saved who? Your dad?
Yeah.
He died from burning in a fire.
Oh, that's horrible.
I'm so very sorry.
It's okay.
I wasn't born yet.
The firefighters tried,
but they couldn't
get there in time.
When did he die?
While my mom
was pregnant with me.
That was back home, right?
[Monet] No.
When my mom and dad
used to be students here.
They used to work at
a painting studio downtown.
-[Walton] Mm-hmm.
-One day...
everything caught on fire...
and burned everything.
No, no,
that doesn't seem possible.
It can be
if you're not careful.
The paint caught on fire.
Everything got burnt.
-You want to come see?
-[Walton sighs]
Yeah, sure.
Just don't tell my mom.
She would kill me.
[Walton breathes heavily]
Is this your dad?
He was so burnt,
they couldn't bury him,
so they put him in that jar.
Was your wife burnt too?
No.
Do you have a picture?
[somber instrumental music]
Oh.
It's-- it's--
[sobbing] Oh.
[sobbing]
[Walton panting]
It's okay.
My mom says
he's in a better place now.
Yeah.
I-- I don't feel so good.
Excuse me.
[Walton sobbing]
Oh, look at me.
Oh, God, forgive me.
[sobbing]
God, I could've saved him,
but I didn't even try.
I didn't even try.
[sobbing and panting]
[indistinct clamoring outside]
[siren wailing]
[quiet, somber
instrumental playing]
[sobbing quietly]
[fire crackling]
-[distant gunshot]
-[people screaming]
[siren wailing]
[sirens wailing]
Monet?
Monet?
[contemplative
instrumental music]
Monet, you in there?
No, no, no, no.
[car horn honking]
[man screams]
[indistinct shouting]
-[glass shatters]
-[indistinct shouting]
[siren wailing]
-Hey, hey.
-Yo.
Do you know where
the police station is?
The station
got burnt down, kid.
No roads in or out.
You okay?
Where are your parents, huh?
Hold on, kid.
Mom, Mom,
are you in there, Mom?
[Walton] Monet! Monet!
What are you doing there?
[man shouting]
Come on, bro, come outside!
Let's go!
Go home, go home!
[fire crackling]
[Walton] Get away from there,
it's not safe.
Your mom is not there.
Where the hell's
the fire department?
Monet! Come back here!
Monet!
[all coughing]
[Walton] I gotcha, I gotcha.
[coughing continues]
Hey, come over by the car.
[Benyah coughing]
[siren wailing in distance]
Here, come on.
-[handcuffs clattering]
-All right.
Hey, did you see a kid
when you were in there?
Kid? What kid?
There's a whole
bunch of people in there,
-we gotta get them out.
-[indistinct]
I'll take care of that.
You gotta get out of here,
you're free now.
Come on, let's go.
Free? I've always been free.
You racist son of a bitch.
Hey, I'm just trying
to save you, man.
Look, the last thing I need
is a fucking white savior.
You're the one
that needs to be saved.
What the hell
are you talking about?
I've seen you rant
and rave all week
at those blue lives
racist rallies.
I know a white supremacist
when I see one, okay?
You don't understand,
things have changed.
-I've changed.
-Maybe for you, but not for me.
I'm going in there
to save my people.
Get the hell out of my way.
[bell tolling]
[muffled rumbling]
Hand me the boy,
hand me the boy.
Everybody, come on out.
It's not safe in there.
Let's go, let's go.
I can see a way out.
Just head into the light,
head into the light.
Follow the light,
follow the light.
[coughing] Follow the light,
just follow the light, guys.
[coughing] Anybody in there?
[coughing]
[fire crackling]
[somber piano melody]
Where are we going?
We're going to the place
where the sun rises in the East.
Where's that?
That's out
beyond the racial rainbow
of our sacred skin colors,
beyond all the judgmental books
on our God given covers.
Next to the alley
of acceptance,
where hate loses
all its powers.
There, there's a field of love
for you, me,
and all humanity lovers.
[uplifting music playing]
[music fades]
[soft piano music plays]
[music fades]
[Magdalene] Monet.
Monet!
Hey.
[grunts]
Can you watch these boxes
while I get
the other ones up?
What if someone
tries to take something?
[Magdalene] You just ask them
politely to freeze,
while you're sketching
for the police.
[she chuckles]
[she coughs]
[door creaks shut]
[she coughs]
Can you help your mama out,
please?
Mom, I'm painting.
Is that how you gonna be
the man of the house?
Mom, why can't you have
more sons,
so we can take turns
being the man?
It's exhausting.
Yeah, I'm exhausted already.
[chuckles]
[sighs] I wish
you don't ever have to grow up
to be a man in this world.
Especially a Black man.
Sorry, babe, let me just
put that there for a sec.
Are these my toys?
Hey, be careful.
Those are fragile, okay?
-[box crashes on floor]
-Monet!
Jesus, not this one.
[Monet] Sorry.
You know, your dad got this
for me as a wedding gift.
If you look
on the bright side,
now it's gonna remind you more
of Dad when you look at it.
Your tongue
is a good enough reminder.
[he chuckles]
Mom, why everything
looks different here?
[Magdalene]
What do you mean, baby?
The homes,
the people, the streets.
Everything is much brighter.
It's not like back home.
Yeah, it's different, but...
you'll have
a brighter future.
And you'll go
to a different school
and see brighter looking kids.
Do you know what?
I bet you shine brighter
than all of them.
[she chuckles]
What if they don't like me,
'cause we don't look alike?
Hey,
what do I always tell you?
You can only see
the true color of a diamond
through a shining light.
There's a...
There's a rainbow
in everyone
if we just look beyond
our deceiving sight.
Right.
[chuckles] All right,
let me see your masterpiece.
I think
that girl across the street
could see my rainbow.
Stay here.
I'll be right back, okay?
I'm scared of cops.
Baby, hey.
They smell fear, remember?
What you gonna be,
a lion or a lamb?
A lion.
That's my boy.
I'll be right back.
[door clicks open]
[door clicks shut]
Hey, officer.
Everything okay?
Are these your items?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, I just moved here.
Anything wrong, officer...
Clinton?
Well, you know,
you're blocking the public path.
[Officer Clinton]
May I check your ID?
It's my hair.
I-- I used to
straighten it back then.
You know,
my mom used to say
a Black woman should never ever
straighten her hair.
You ever see a lion
playing with its mane?
Ma'am, ma'am.
Please, step aside.
I need to check
the content of the boxes.
[Magdalene]
May I ask why?
[Officer Clinton] We've had
a few concerning calls
from neighbors.
I'm just doing my job.
What a warm welcome.
Hey, can you just
be a little more gentle?
That's my son's toys.
-How old is your son?
-Nine.
Isn't he too young
to be around guns?
Leave my toys alone!
[Magdalene] Monet, stop!
Hey,
what are you doing?
Hey, stop!
Don't you fucking
point your gun at my son.
This is how
you're raising your child?
Leave my mom alone!
Hey, it's--
it's just a game.
Okay?
We're just playing a game.
[Monet]
So, she's not a real cop?
No.
Certainly not.
[somber music plays]
Look at you growing
all big and tall.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
All right.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[sniffles]
[Magdalene] Hey,
can you stop that please?
-But it's fun.
-Yeah, well, not for me.
[Magdalene sighs
and clears throat]
Okay, hey, come here,
come here, come here.
Do me a favor.
Okay.
Can you show me
where this color is?
I don't know.
Okay, look, we know
that the card says what?
Green?
Right, so,
if the label's green,
take this and match it
with something else
in this apartment.
Mmm.
Close.
I can't tell.
[Magdalene] Try again.
Try a little harder.
Mmm...
[Magdalene groans]
Okay.
-I can't tell.
-Okay.
What do we know
for sure is green?
-The tree.
-That's right.
[Magdalene] Careful.
Good one!
-[Monet] Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay, what else?
I don't know.
Give me a clue.
[Magdalene laughs]
Is the sky always blue?
-Not always.
-Mom, look at the sun.
Hey, don't look up there
too long, okay?
I like how bright it is.
Yeah, but, Monet,
you're gonna go blind
if you stare too long.
I'm already blind.
Monet, you're not blind.
Says the blind.
Monet, we're colorblind.
Well, that's still blind.
-[indistinct]
-Monet, I don't want to hear it.
[Magdalene] Stop. Please.
Okay, listen, there are people
that can see color,
but that doesn't make them
any different than we are.
People label colors
just like we do.
They just do it
in their minds.
But, look, we got
a better imagination, right?
[Monet] Mmm.
[Monet] What colors
do you see in the sky?
I see pink and red.
Like a giant pomegranate.
Like a giant pomegranate.
Where'd you get
all that imagination?
Can we eat
pomegranates tonight?
[groans] Baby, I don't think
there are enough pomegranates
on this planet
to satisfy your appetite.
We haven't had any
since we moved here.
All right, all right,
um, when we're done
furnishing the apartment,
I'll run out and grab
some pomegranates, okay?
Can you come
help me with this map?
Grab that side.
Did you know that
where we originally come from,
there's tons of
pomegranate trees?
Can we move back?
Maybe. One day.
[slow piano instrumental plays]
Yes? Can I help you?
Hi, Mr. Walton.
Sorry to bother you.
How do you know my name?
I'm the new tenant
downstairs.
New tenant?
Yes, I'm Magdalene.
The rental management told me
just to pay you directly--
Hold on, there must be
some kind of mistake.
I'm expecting
a Magdalene Whyte.
Yeah, that's me.
W-H-Y-T-E.
I know it's weird
seeing a Black person
with a white last name,
like, literally Whyte.
[laughs]
Huh, strange.
But management informed me
that an old white woman
was here
looking for an apartment
for her daughter.
Yes, that was my mom,
she was helping me out.
She used to live
around this area.
Your mom?
Is this
some kind of a joke?
[she sighs]
All right, let me explain
before you think I'm crazy.
So, I was adopted
by a white woman.
She couldn't have
any kids of her own,
so, she raised me...
and she gave me
the good Catholic name,
Magdalene,
and, of course,
I took her last name
and so here we are.
[Walton] Huh.
Believe me, if I could pick
a Black family, I would,
for everyone's convenience
and clarity.
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
Right, uh, so,
here is this month's rent
and deposit.
-Thanks.
-Wait, wait.
I want to count it first.
Make sure you didn't give me
more than I asked for.
[both chuckling awkwardly]
We good?
We good?
Um, there was a boy
in the application.
That's my son, Monet.
-Monet?
-Mm-hmm.
I named him
after my favorite artist.
French impressionist artist?
Was going blind
through his career,
but still painted anyway?
-No?
-No. Don't know.
[Magdalene] Mm-hmm.
Where's the father?
He's not with us.
Oh.
So, you have a man
or someone to look after?
Look, um, are we good?
Can I go?
-So I can--
-Yeah, I, uh.
-I'll just get your receipt.
-Thanks.
Got a nice place.
Could use some color, though.
I'd love to give you
one of my paintings.
[Walton]
I hate colors.
Of course.
-You paint, huh?
-Yup.
Professionally?
Yeah, that's why I moved here.
I got an invitation
from the city's
Contemporary Art Gallery
and I hope to use that
to help pay
for my son's education.
Hmm.
You know,
the gallery's closed, yeah?
Look, you'll get your money
on time, okay?
Well, I'm gonna need
last month's rent.
What do you mean?
Well,
you said you paint, right?
So?
I'm gonna need last month's rent
in case something happens.
[sighs]
In case what happens?
Look.
I'm a retired firefighter.
I assess risk for a living.
Given this current situation,
it seems highly unlikely
to be able
to keep up with the rent.
And, uh, your damage deposit
won't be enough
to clean the cheap paint
off my expensive furniture.
I'm sorry, cheap paint?
Yeah.
My apartment, my rules.
You're lucky
I accepted your application.
-Unknowingly.
-Still.
A lot of landlords
in this neighborhood
wouldn't be so open-minded.
Well, thank you
for your open-mindedness,
but I don't have
that kind of money for you.
I mean, there must be some
kind of renters' protection,
or some human rights.
Look, you do
what you have to do...
but I'm a firefighter
and you don't play with fire.
[sighs]
[eerie music plays]
[wheezing and coughing]
[inhaling]
[gasping and coughing]
[panting]
[gasping for air]
[Mr. Walton chuckles]
Uh, bet you don't have
colored neighbor problems
where you are, Mr. Jackson.
[sighs]
All right.
[plays mellow piano melody]
[coughing]
-Sorry. [coughs]
-Asthma, huh?
Damn.
I think I heard
this is a good brand.
Yeah, it gets worse
in the winter.
[she clears throat]
Uh, you know what?
I-- I'll take that another time.
Okay, well...
I think I'm gonna need one
of these inhalers my damn self.
-[he laughs]
-Excuse me?
Well, girl...
you so fine...
[sighs] ...you're taking
my breath away.
[laughs]
Oh, Lord. All right.
I bet you say that
to all the ladies
-that come in here.
-Oh, no, no, no.
Just to a fine sister like you
with a sense of humor.
See, I can't be myself
around these other folks.
-If you know what I mean.
-Yeah.
The name's Benyah.
You new here, right?
Yeah. Magdalene.
Just moved in.
With my son, actually.
These are all for him.
-[she chuckles]
-He must love pomegranates.
Oh, he's obsessed with them.
Jesus, $25?
What is this?
Some forbidden fruit?
-Uh.
-It's not even red.
[chuckles] Well...
let me tell you a secret.
You see,
I call these
diaspora pomegranates.
Taken from their native land.
Trying to blend
into their new home
for over 400 years.
But don't be deceived
by their exterior...
because deep down,
they haven't forgotten
who they are,
their true colors.
They know who they are
and where they come from.
Do you?
That one's coming
out of your pocket, Benyah.
Oh, yeah, don't worry
about that, Alvin,
I'll put all these
on my-- on my tab.
-Oh, no, I can't allow that.
-Yes, you can.
Just consider it
a welcome gift.
[chuckles] Okay. Thanks.
[Magdalene laughs] Wow.
You okay?
Ooh, okay, okay, okay.
Don't drip it.
-You'll spill everywhere.
-So good.
Did you do your homework?
No homework,
it's winter break.
Okay, school is closed,
but education is not.
You don't stop learning
just 'cause they tell you to.
But I want to
be a painter like you.
Oh, baby.
This world is too cruel
to artists.
Plus, I want to make sure
you get an education
that I wasn't able to have,
okay?
So that
when the opportunities come,
you just catch it.
[cartoon sound effects on TV]
[orchestral cartoon music plays]
Let me show you
what I learned today.
You see this pomegranate?
See all the seeds
stick together?
That's how
we gotta stick together.
You know, sometimes life,
it's gonna be tough on you.
It's going to squeeze you...
pressure you
to every last drop exactly.
But...
even then...
we stay together.
Like a pomegranate.
-Like a pomegranate.
-Mm-hmm, lock it in.
-Like a pomegranate seed, baby.
-Like a pomegranate.
[both laugh]
All right, here you go.
-To our new home.
-And my new friends.
-Cheers.
-[glasses clink]
Oh. Oh!
Excuse me.
Where did you learn that from?
I've seen how you drink.
Wait, so you're telling me
I'm raising a little spy?
What else have you seen?
[playful piano music plays]
[laughs] Oh, wow. Okay.
Just gonna embarrass me
like that, huh?
Okay, great.
Go to your room.
Go to your room.
-[Monet laughing]
-You're on punishment.
Ten days.
No video games, no nothing.
-[playing on piano]
-[muffled shouting]
[muffled reggae music playing]
[indistinct lyrics]
[indistinct] power
right to the man
Each is gifted,
each of us is free
But we have to unlock
your soul, destiny
We are not powerless,
sir, no
Or agents of the state
What're you doing?
And you may be vague
But, Jah,
he makes us all the same
Oh, sing, da da da da da da,
da da da da da da
Oh, did that hurt?
Da da da da da da,
da da da da da da
Come together
brothers we be
And collapse the man
[indistinct]
We are not
indentured slaves, no
Or agents of the state
[indistinct]
There's one more story
we need
[playing on piano]
[muffled reggae music playing]
[knocking on floor] Hey!
Turn down that jungle music!
Turn down that jungle music!
[groans]
[music stops]
Anyways, you ready to eat?
Okay, there you go, baby.
Uh, hi, hello?
Did you forget something?
What would your Dad do
if he was here?
I don't know.
I wasn't born yet.
[mockingly] I wasn't born yet.
He would say his prayers first.
Come on.
Get to do grace.
Ah! Colorblind, not blind.
[scoffs] Go ahead.
Dear Lord.
Thank you for
the colorful dish
and helping us see things
as you created them.
Excuse me, I hope
you're not mocking God.
[sighs] Okay.
You know what?
Hold on.
-Yeah.
-No.
You're not gonna--
you're not gonna eat yet.
You need to do
a good deed today first.
But why?
-But why?
-I'm hungry?
Oh, you're hungry?
And you haven't did
your deed either.
Uh, I'm sorry,
who's the mom, me or you?
-You.
-Yeah.
What does the Lord
say about neighbors?
Avoid your neighbors.
Monet.
-Love your neighbors.
-Very good.
So...
I want you to take this up
to the landlord, okay?
And make sure you politely
introduce yourself,
you understand?
But why?
Because...
a good deed
goes a long way.
No, because
you didn't pay enough rent.
What? Hey.
I overheard you.
Hey, uh, first of all,
you shouldn't do that
and I did pay, and...
listen, it's not about
paying rent, okay?
It's about paying respect.
Sometimes people need kindness
more than they need money.
Oh, wait, but one thing,
don't tell him about
your color blindness, okay?
But why?
Because we don't know him.
And sometimes people
like to take advantage
of the disadvantaged people.
-All right?
-[Monet] Mm-hmm.
You don't want to show
anyone your weakness.
Remember when your friends
made fun of you at school?
When they found out?
-Yeah.
-[Magdalene] All right.
Go ahead.
Uh, you know what?
Hold on a sec. Come here.
Uh, yeah.
There you go.
It's a symbol
of peace, okay?
Right in there.
[Walton]
Black Lives Matter.
Well, I say all lives matter
and to protect our lives
in this chaotic country
that we live in,
uh, I'm asking you
as a retired firefighter
to, uh--
oh, no, no, no, no wait.
We need law and order.
That's it.
Law and order
and as a retired firefighter,
I'm asking you people
to extinguish
the destructive flames
of thugs and criminals
in our streets.
-[sighs]
-[knocking on door]
Oh, for crying out loud.
[knocking on door]
-Yes?
-Hi, I'm Monet.
Hello. What do you want?
My Mom asked me
to bring this dish to you,
but don't eat
the flower though,
that's just the symbol
of peace, I guess.
Yeah, well,
that's very nice of your Mom,
but I'd rather be
alone in peace.
Thank you very much.
You can eat alone in peace.
Here.
[sighs]
Okay, tell you what.
You stay here.
I'll be back with the plate.
Holy moly,
was that ever good!
Oh, delicious!
Man, oh, man.
[groans]
[sighs]
There you go.
All in one go, all done.
Delicious.
That was fast.
Yeah, well, you tell your Mom,
thanks very much,
but, uh, I'd rather see
the overdue rent
on a plate next time.
She said sometimes people need
kindness more than money.
Is that so?
You wait here.
[chuckles] I'll give you
a symbol of peace.
[tea kettle whistles]
Peace out.
[gentle music playing]
[sighs] How'd it go?
Why did he give you these?
As a symbol of peace,
I guess.
Did-- did I do
something wrong?
No, baby, you didn't.
No. Listen.
I don't ever want you
talking to that man again.
You understand?
But you said kindness
goes a long way.
Yeah, I was wrong.
He's a giant
and giants
have the smallest hearts.
Come here.
Come here.
Okay.
Hold still, hold still.
Don't move, don't move.
Voila!
Now, you just gotta keep it on
for ten minutes, okay?
Can I keep it on longer?
[Magdalene]
No, baby, no, you can't.
Do bright people
have bright colors?
What?
My friend Abby
used to tell me that.
Let me show you something.
I want you to think about...
how much you love me.
Really feel it, okay?
Okay.
Now, still feel
the same love for me?
Okay, good.
How about...
now?
Still feel
the same love for me?
Okay, see?
Doesn't matter
how you look on the outside.
If someone has love
in their heart for you
or hate...
the outside doesn't change.
On the inside...
you still feel the same.
You understand?
Yep.
Why do we have
to look different?
[Magdalene] Hmm, well...
Look, you think
these masks look different,
but they're not.
They have the same essence,
just different colors.
Listen.
What's really important...
and the most
important thing is...
having fun.
-[water splashing]
-[both laughing]
Okay, okay, okay, okay!
You know, Shelby,
we gotta get you a mate.
Yeah.
No, me. Me?
[laughs] I'm not alone.
I don't--
I don't need anyone.
You worry about yourself.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You know, she would have made
a great mother, you know.
Look at that. Yeah.
And you would have made
a great babysitter.
Here you go. Good boy.
[sighs]
Are you going
to your new gallery tomorrow?
-Uh, yes, but not for long.
-Can I come?
No, baby,
children aren't allowed.
But you said
I wasn't a child anymore.
I said you need to stop
acting like a child.
I am technically
the man of this house.
Hmm, well, technically
you'll still be my child
even when you have great peach
fuzz growing on your booty.
-[Magdalene laughs]
-That's gross!
Mom, I wish I'd met Dad.
What was he like?
Well, he was...
very cute...
and curious.
Just like you.
[giggles]
[grunts]
Okay!
[sighs]
Mom, what happens
when people die?
[Magdalene] Let me
show you something.
So over here.
There are just lights...
and then you cross over
to the other side...
they become a rainbow.
See that?
Your Daddy could be up there
in all those colors.
All right, it's time for bed.
-[Monet] Good night, Mom.
-Thank you.
[birds chirping]
Now let's find
my babies a new home.
Now, which one?
[hums]
[road din]
[sighs] Just freezing
my ass off all day.
[woman] Not
the best time to sell.
Yeah, tell me about it,
I've been here all day
and nothing.
This would be a lot easier
if it was in my gallery.
[woman] Your gallery?
Yeah, that's--
that's why I moved here.
These pieces are supposed
to be in my exhibition
for the, uh,
Contemporary Art Gallery.
[woman] Oh,
you mean the MOCA Gallery?
Yes. You know it?
[woman] Everyone knows it,
it's very prestigious.
It's too sad
they had to close down.
Well, you know what?
Art must go on, right?
[laughs]
You know what? I would love
to give you a discount
since you're
my first customer here.
[woman] Well, let me see.
Hey, guys.
[woman] How much for the yellow
and green one right there?
Uh...
yellow and green.
Um... [clears throat]
Uh, this one?
[woman] No, the--
no, the one
that's mainly yellow
with the green line,
right-- right there,
over there.
Do you mind pointing out
which one exactly you wanted?
[woman]
Are you sure they're yours?
Oh, yeah, they're mine.
I-- I painted them.
[woman] I-- I don't want
to get in any trouble.
What-- what trouble?
There's no trouble.
I painted them, they're mine.
I-- I'm colorblind.
Oh, come on!
[thunder cracks]
Of course. Thank you.
[soft music playing]
[groans]
I started as a surrealist,
but after today?
Yeah, that rain turned me
into an impressionist. [laughs]
To my new mentor,
the rain.
[knocking on door]
[Monet]
Mom, I need to pee.
Baby, let me spend
a little more time
in this surreal reality
before you drag me back.
[sighs]
[Monet] I need to pee!
Okay, it's open.
Come in.
Some privacy, please.
Boy, ain't nobody
looking at you.
Hey, and lift up the lid.
You said you weren't looking!
I-- I have ears,
so I can hear.
What are you still doing up?
I had a nightmare.
Oh, come here,
tell me what happened.
You know what you were?
So colorful.
Wait. You dream in colors?
[Magdalene chuckles]
That's weird.
What happened?
[Monet] You were laid down
still without breathing,
so calm and so silent,
then slowly a huge rainbow
coming out of your mouth.
[laughs] Okay.
A rainbow?
Out of my mouth?
You really dreaming in colors?
Yeah, I swear to Dad.
Okay. Okay, all right.
I believe you.
I don't think
I can go back to sleep.
Oh, okay, baby.
Go back to bed.
I'm gonna come in there
in just a minute, okay?
Okay.
[chuckles]
My baby's seeing colors.
Okay.
[sighs]
What should I name this one?
Oh, good Lord.
Yikes.
Gosh.
Okay, how's it going
over here, baby?
It doesn't look as happy.
[Magdalene] Yeah,
I told you not to pick it.
Flowers are never as happy
when they're separated
from the soil.
[Monet] What do we do?
Um...
why don't we take it outside,
on the patio?
Get some sunlight.
Wait, wait hold on.
I'll give you your coat.
Here.
[door creaks open]
[Monet] Good morning.
-Nice flag.
-What's that?
Nice flag.
-[Magdalene coughs]
-I have the same one, see?
[Walton] Oh, yeah.
It's not the same thing, Monet.
It looks the same.
It's not the same,
it's a different color.
[Monet]
But it looks the same.
But it's a different color
with different meeting, okay?
[Monet] It looks the same.
[Magdalene] All right,
but it's different.
Come on, let's just
keep fixing this.
[coughing]
Excuse me,
do you mind putting that out?
[Walton] What's that?
I have asthma, so you mind
while we're out here
if you could
just put that out?
Hey, I'm just sitting up here
having a smoke on my side.
Keep your smoke
to your side then.
Hey, talk to the wind, kid.
Monet, let's go.
When are you gonna pay the rent?
-Talk to the wind, giant!
-[Magdalene] Monet!
Sorry about that. Soon.
Monet, careful,
careful, careful,
you'll get your shirt dirty.
I just washed that.
[coughs]
Hey, guys. How can help you?
How much is this one?
You know what?
I can give that to you for 550.
510, we got a deal.
Yeah, okay. Sure.
Thanks.
You only got hundreds?
You have enough change?
You know what, these days,
all I got is change.
Let me check.
Okay.
20, 40, 90.
Here you go.
I'd take that other one
if you can make the same deal.
You-- you want one too?
Okay, yeah, sure.
[laughing] Where do you
get this money from?
[train rattling]
Rich neighborhood, dude,
rich kids.
You sell on the street,
you gotta have mutual trust.
Yeah, yeah, of course.
One sec. Thanks.
[sighs] There you go.
Thanks.
Hey, thank you guys so much.
Thank you. [laughs]
You know what?
Hey, when the gallery opens,
I'll invite you out,
and you can appreciate those
on the wall.
[squealing with joy, laughing]
'Cause what?
I'm an artist, duh!
All right,
let's pack this up, okay.
[soft piano melody playing]
[footsteps approaching]
Girl, you sold
those paintings,
you sure did sell
those paintings. [laughs]
You're kidding me.
[piano melody playing louder]
[indistinct]
[sighs]
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved
A wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now, am found
Was blind
But now, I see
[Magdalene coughing]
[breathing heavily]
[coughing]
[panting] Shit.
Oh, shit.
Okay, wait, wait, my inhaler.
My inhaler, God.
Oh, fuck, okay.
Okay, okay, it's okay.
[panting, coughing]
[ominous instrumental playing]
-What do you want?
-Where's your mom?
[Monet] She left
to go get something.
Yeah. She what?
She left to go get
some pomegranates.
You mean at the grocery store?
Well, how long ago
did she leave?
Just a few minutes ago.
Right.
[Monet] Do you want
some pomegranates too?
No, I don't want
any goddamn pomegranates.
[sinister instrumental
music playing]
[Walton sighs]
Yeah, hi, yeah.
This is Walton Gray.
I'd just like
to report a fraud.
Yeah, my-- my new tenant
just tried to pay the rent
with counterfeit money.
Well, the colors were off,
I'm not fucking blind.
Sorry. Sorry.
[sighs] No...
[officer] What does
she look like again?
[Walton]
Bushy brown hair,
uh, she was wearing
a white jacket.
-[officer] Black, White?
-[Walton] Black.
-Uh, about 5'7, 5'8.
-[officer] All right.
[Walton] That's her, officer.
That's her right there!
[officer] It's okay,
thank you, thank you.
-[siren wailing]
-Hi, there.
Just stay right there,
don't move,
I just want to talk to you.
I-- I just want to
ask you a few questions.
Just don't move.
Stay right there.
Stay right there,
no, no, no!
-I didn't do anything wrong!
-[officer] No, no!
-I-- I said stop, don't move!
-[electric buzzing]
Gotcha! Gotcha!
[Magdalene groaning]
[officer] Face down,
don't move--
What the hell is that?
A little extra tight,
just for you, huh?
-[handcuffs rattling]
-[officer grunts]
[breathing heavily]
[officer] Suspect
is a Black woman in her 30s.
Average build, under arrest
for disobeying the order.
[radio chimes]
[screams]
Get off of me, I can't breathe.
[officer] Oh, stop
with that clich bullshit.
I'm nowhere near your neck.
[sobbing]
-I didn't do anything wrong.
-[officer] No? No?
Then why the hell
did you run away from me?
-Why'd you run?
-[sobbing] I was scared.
Stop resisting or I will
taze you again, you hear me?
And fuck your pomegranate.
[sobbing loudly]
[officer] Okay, all right,
let me see something.
Hold on.
What's your name, huh?
Magdalene Whyte.
What do you do for a living,
Magdalene?
[sobbing, coughing]
-I'm a painter.
-[officer] Oh, you paint?
Are you an artist,
or a con artist?
[Magdalene] What?
Look familiar to you?
You buy a lot of things
with these counterfeit bills?
Counterfeit money?
What are you talking about?
Those boys, they gave it to me.
[muffled radio chatter]
[officer] Yeah, I've got her.
I'm heading there right now.
What's the address?
[muffled chatter on radio]
[officer] Well, apparently,
it's not the first time
you've been using
these counterfeit bills, huh?
What?
You are in big trouble, sister.
-Get up! I said get up!
-[Magdalene groaning]
[officer] Come on.
[officer grunting, panting]
I hate this ghetto shit,
and I fucking hate
pomegranates.
Come on.
Counterfeit money, huh?
[Magdalene] I swear,
I don't know, I didn't know!
[officer] Oh, you do,
or you couldn't tell why?
What, you blind or something?
[Magdalene breathing heavily]
[officer] What is it?
Say it, spit it out. Come on.
[Magdalene] I'm colorblind.
[officer laughing]
You're a colorblind artist
who paints, do you think
I'm stupid or something?
Get them away.
There's nothing to see here.
There's nothing to see.
Back off.
I said back off!
[sirens wailing]
Now, listen to me.
I'm going to gather
the rest of the evidence,
and you better come up
with a better excuse
by the time I get back here.
[man] Fuck off, man,
let her go.
-[breathing heavily]
-[man] Come on, who are you?
You okay?
How sweet the sound
That saved
A wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now, am found
Was blind
But now, I see
Stars and trees
Their strange fruits
Blood on the leaves
And blood at the root
Black body swinging
In the summer breeze
Strange fruit hanging
From the poplar tree
[music fades]
Now, she's claiming
to be an artist of some kind.
-A painter. Any truth to that?
-Yeah, yeah.
Uh, she's probably
made a big mess
of my apartment already.
Look, officer,
how can I get my money back?
We'll deal with that
soon enough.
Now, do you know anything
about her being colorblind?
Colorblind?
[laughs] Well,
think about it, officer.
She makes her living
as a painter for Christ's sakes.
I wouldn't believe
anything she says.
In fact, I think
her ID's all fake.
You gonna run a check on it?
-I'm asking the questions here.
-[Walton] Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry.
Now, you see people coming
in and out of her apartment?
Maybe she's got
others helping her?
Does she live alone?
No, no, she has a son
living with her.
He told me that she's gone
down to the store.
And where is he?
Just down below us.
-How old is he?
-I don't know, eight or nine.
It's hard to tell
with that black skin.
Can't see too clearly.
Right.
-Can you show me?
-Yeah, yeah, it's, uh...
just right down there.
Uh, 201.
[officer] All right.
You'll just stay here?
I'll be back in a few.
[Walton] Okay.
-Hello.
-Hi, there.
Are you a cop?
-Mm-hmm.
-Can I see your badge?
[clears throat] Sure.
Sorry, my mom says
"Always be careful around cops."
[officer] What's your name?
Monet.
Well, listen, Monet,
I'm here because of your mom.
[Monet] Where is she?
Don't worry.
She's safe, she's with us.
Now, I'm more worried.
[clears throat] Look.
Not all of us are bad guys.
We're just showing her
around the neighborhood.
We'll bring her back soon.
-Can I come?
-Oh, no. I'm sorry, buddy.
You're too young
to come with us,
but I'll tell you what.
When you're old enough,
I'll show you
around the neighborhood.
[Monet] I won't go anywhere
without my mom.
Right, of course.
Now, listen to me, Monet, um,
do you have any relatives
or other family in town
that we could call
to come watch over you?
Nobody at all?
Only my grandma back home.
But she's far, far away.
Okay, well, in that case then,
um, your mom probably wants you
to stay
with Mr. Walton over there
until she comes back.
-The giant? No, thanks.
-[officer] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Just for a few hours.
I'd rather be alone.
Well, I-- I don't think
that's such a good idea, okay?
It's just for a little while.
If you don't help me,
then I can't help
to bring your mom back.
You understand me?
Promise you bring her back.
Oh, uh, Monet,
one last thing.
Do you know
if your mom is colorblind?
Uh...
Is she?
It's very important
for us to know.
No, she-- she's not weak.
[officer] Okay, good.
Now, why don't you
pack up some stuff,
Mr. Walton
will come by to get you.
All right?
It'll be fun. I promise.
[sighs]
Okay, um...
look, I need you
to babysit the kid
'til we figure out
the situation.
No fucking way.
I don't think so.
Look, I can't bring him
with me, all right?
There's too much responsibility.
Besides, we don't want
to see this kid
watch his mom going through
this kind of an ordeal.
-It's not his fault.
-Hey, it's not my fault either.
I'm the victim here.
You're
a retired firefighter, correct?
[Walton sighs] Yes.
Well, just think of this
as a fire drill, all right?
Look, I'm trying
to put out a fire here.
-[Walton sighs]
-[officer] All right?
Hey, you want to kick them out
when she comes back? Great.
But until then, I need you
to babysit this kid,
to take care of him,
'til the smoke clears.
Will I get
my money back pretty soon?
Yeah, I'll do
everything in my power.
[sighs]
Yeah.
[indistinct chattering
on radio]
I'll be right there.
I gotta go, okay?
I have all your contact info,
I will be in touch.
-Remember, fire drill.
-Yeah.
[Walton sighs]
[drink glugging]
What?
Can you pass the pepper, please?
It's the red one.
Hello.
The red one.
What, you not hungry?
I'm starving.
What are you
waiting for? Eat.
I can't eat.
What do you mean you can't eat?
'Cause it's not fried chicken?
I'm vegan.
I'm sorry, what?
I can't eat meat.
I'm vegan.
[laughing] That's ridiculous.
A Black vegan kid.
What a messed-up world
we live in, I tell you.
So I can't be Black,
because I'm vegan,
or I can't be vegan,
because I'm Black?
Oh, well, excuse me
for not being prepared to,
uh, take care of
a Black vegan kid.
What, do you want
some ice cream, Your Majesty?
Is it made
with non-dairy milk?
Oh, for fuck's sakes,
come on.
You said the F-word.
-Yeah, so what?
-You need to rinse your mouth.
[Walton sighs]
There. Happy?
Oh, what do vegan kids eat?
Ah, ooh.
There.
That vegan enough for you?
[Walton sighs]
[knife clacking on wood]
Do you want to go to juvie?
Okay, "They say
Black lives matter,
well, I say all lives matter.
[sighs] [indistinct].
Blue lives matter,
police lives matter.
[mumbling]
No Black people--"
what?
What are you memorizing?
You wouldn't understand.
[Monet] I heard you
practicing it.
It's about
all lives matter, right?
What?
You eavesdropping on me?
I know how hard it is
to memorize something.
I used to be the same at school,
but they taught us
a trick that really helped.
A trick?
Apparently, some people
are better at looking skills,
and some better
at listening skills.
I guess,
you're the first kind,
so it's best for you
to listen to memorize.
But it's true, it's true,
you know, when I was a kid...
I was a great listener.
I used to spend hours
listening to the piano.
So what's this trick?
Have someone read it to you
over and over
until it gets
into your big, giant head.
-"They say Black lives matter."
-[Walton] "Black lives matter."
-"We say all lives matter."
-[Walton] "All lives matter."
-"Police lives matter."
-[Walton] "Police lives."
-"Law matters."
-[Walton] "Law matters."
[Monet] "Order matters."
[Walton] Yeah.
-"Blue lives matter."
-[Walton] "Blue lives matter."
"Let Black lives matter
to Blacks and their own
Black neighborhood."
[Walton]
"Let Black lives matter
to Blacks and their own
Black neighborhood."
"Let them keep their crimes away
from us in their streets."
[Walton] "Let them
keep their crimes,
uh, out of our neighborhood,
off our streets."
Is that right?
Just forget it. Move on.
"We're offering
a peaceful solution."
[Walton] "We're offering
a future solution."
Peaceful.
[Walton]
"A peaceful solution," yeah.
Seg-- gus--
What's segregation?
Um, well, it's, uh, you know,
Whites with Whites
and Blacks with Blacks.
No mixing, you get it?
No mixing, then, how do you get
a colorful palette?
-A what?
-[Monet] My mom mixes
black and white to get gray.
Then, she mixes
yellow and blue to get green.
Then, she paints
a whole colorful garden
with her palate.
Yeah, but that's different.
We're talking about people,
not paints.
So paint can mix,
but not people?
Well, they can mix,
but they shouldn't.
Look at me.
You know
when you're doing your laundry,
you have your whites
and you have your colors,
and you keep them
separate, right?
You don't mix them,
because if you put
the whites with the colors,
the colors
will stain the white.
So you gotta
keep them separate.
So law and order, you see?
-So is my skin stained?
-[Walton] No, no.
That's not what I meant.
What I'm saying
is that you and I
are not the same,
and we never will be, okay?
So did God make us different?
Yeah, I think so.
Does God like
each of us differently?
I don't know, I'm not God.
Why couldn't God make
everyone the same color,
and make them all the same?
Why go through so much trouble
to make us different?
[sighs] Look, can we get back
to work, please?
If we're not the same,
why not divide us
from the beginning,
and put each color
in a different color planet,
so we'd never know
the other one existed?
Then we'd never know
that we're different.
God sounds like a jerk that
wants us to fight on purpose.
Maybe God is the one
who's colorblind.
Jesus Christ, kid.
I'm asking you to help me
with my speech, not give me one.
I'm sorry.
I just miss my mom.
She always says
question things...
until I understand them.
Yeah, I know.
I know,
but some questions just...
just can't be answered.
The truck is blue.
The wall is white.
The light bulb is yellow.
The plant is green.
The tree is green.
The people are all white.
People, white,
people, white, people, white,
people, white, people, white,
people, white,
people, white, people, white.
Hey, hey, hey,
what are you doing?
Stay away from that tree.
Is this a family tree?
I said,
stay away from that tree.
What about my family?
When's my mom coming back?
[Walton] I don't know
just stay away from that tree.
It's a sacred tree.
I miss her and I'm bored.
What do you do
when you're at home and bored?
[Monet grunts]
I paint with my mom.
Yeah, well,
you can't paint here
and I'm not your mom.
Do you have
any games to play?
Uh.
No. Only chess.
And that's not a kid's game.
I can play chess.
[Walton] You can play chess?
[scoffs]
You're a lot smarter
than you look.
[quiet piano instrumental]
Well, I guess we don't have
to assign colors now, do we?
-Let's go.
-[Walton laughs] Good choice.
Okay.
Uh, wait, wait, wait, wait.
White always goes first.
[Monet] I'm sorry, I forgot.
Do you see everything
black and white, too?
-[Walton] Huh?
-Nothing.
[Walton murmuring]
That's it.
You can't keep running away,
I'm gonna catch you.
Now, I'm gonna
punish your queen.
Queen.
And...
checkmate.
[laughing triumphantly]
[phone ringing]
Hold on a second,
I got a phone call.
Yeah, Walton here.
Oh, hello, officer.
Yes, yes.
Uh, yeah, I've been
waiting for your call.
Is it my mom?
What?
The boy's right here, yeah.
Hospital?
What are you talking about?
I thought I said she took him
down to the station?
What have you guys done?
What?
All right,
well, keep me posted.
I'm not a babysitter.
Oh, hey, you can't do that.
Queen's off the board.
My mom says,
no matter how many times
you fall on your face you still
have to get back up to win.
Well, I'll--
I'll make an exception
this time, okay?
Did they say
when my mom's coming back?
Uh, no, but I'm sure
she'll be home soon.
-What's wrong?
-[Walton sighs]
Uh, I don't know,
I'm just a little tired.
I think it's time for my nap.
What about the game?
-You won.
-Huh? I win?
Yeah, you did.
["Symphony No. 5"
by Beethoven playing]
The black queen
claims her island.
Out the white soldiers,
out the white castle.
Out the white bishops.
Out the white king,
your time is up.
Why don't you
make yourself busy
while I take a nap, huh?
Don't wake me up.
What if I'm hungry?
Well, there's some, uh,
some candies in the blue jar
on the counter,
but just take them quietly
and don't wake me up
'cause I get
really grumpy, okay?
Mm-hmm.
[Walton sighs]
[Walton snoring softly]
[floorboard creaks]
[Monet grunts softly]
[Monet grunts]
[Monet gasps]
-[jar clanking]
-[Walton gasps]
Oh, my God.
My sweet Candy.
What the hell have you done?
I told you
the fucking blue jar.
Are you blind or stupid?
No, I-- I'm sorry,
the tortoise scared me.
Sorry's not gonna cut it.
You know what?
If it weren't for that
nigger drunk driver,
my wife would be alive
and you people
can't even leave her
in peace in her own house!
I'll clean it up.
Well, no, no,
you'll clean it up
by getting the hell
out of my neighborhood.
-Come on.
-I'm not going!
Now, look at you.
You know what?
Go back to the jungle
where you came from.
Maybe you'll find
your mother there, huh?
I'm going!
Out! Get out.
Oh, Shelby.
Oh, you poor old thing.
Look at you.
It's tricky going through for--
All right, man, I got you.
You okay?
You're good?
Yeah, of course you are.
Yeah.
[Walton sighs]
[reporter] Magdalene Whyte,
a Black artist,
who was recently arrested
for counterfeit money,
is now in critical condition
after the police locked her up
unattended
in the car to freeze.
According
to the witness footage,
she was abandoned
for 30 minutes
and freezing temperatures
before the officer showed up.
The medical staff
at the hospital confirmed
that Magdalene
had a history of asthma,
which is believed
to worsen her condition.
It was also later revealed
that she was in fact colorblind,
a condition that may have
played a crucial factor
in her arrest and may
also prove her innocence.
A peaceful protest
outside the hospital
is now turning into
a violent clash
between the police
and the protestors
as they are becoming aware
that Magdalene Whyte
unfortunately
just went into a coma.
Let's see
what they have to say.
[indistinct shouting]
[reporter]
What do you have to say?
Magdalene is still in a coma,
but her brothers and sisters
have just woken up.
[chanting] We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
[chanting continues on TV]
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
-We are wide awake!
-[faint beeping]
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
We are wide awake!
-[fire alarm beeping]
-[Monet coughing]
Oh, Jesus.
[fire alarm keeps beeping]
Monet!
Open the door!
[Monet coughing]
Monet! Oh, my God.
-[Monet coughing]
-Oh, my God!
What are you doing in here?
Come on.
-Let's get you out of here.
-I'm not going with you!
-You have to come!
-I am not going!
-You have to get up. Come on.
-I'm not going!
-Monet, stop it. Stop it!
-Not going with you!
-There's too much smoke.
-Not going, I'm not going!
All right, take it easy.
Here we go, come on.
Let's go upstairs,
get upstairs.
[fire alarm keeps beeping]
Breathe in, breathe out.
There you go.
You're doing good.
All you need
is a little fresh air.
[Walton laughs]
You're gonna be just fine.
That's it.
Keep breathing, keep breathing.
Yeah, you want a--
you want a glass of water?
I'll get you a glass of water.
Hang on.
[Monet sighs]
There you go.
Sip it slowly now.
Now, what were you doing
with all those candles?
I was trying
to pray for my mom.
You know, you're lucky
I'm a firefighter.
You could be dead.
-I'm sorry.
-No, no, I'm sorry.
I overreacted.
I shouldn't have left you alone.
[Walton sighs]
So you're a real firefighter?
Yeah, I'm--
Yes. Well, I was.
How many lives have you saved?
[Walton sighs] Let me see.
Well. [sighs]
Not as many as I wished
I could have.
Is this your wife's room?
Monet--
why didn't you tell the truth?
[Monet] What truth?
That you and your mom
are both colorblind?
It would have
changed everything,
cleared up any
misunderstandings if we knew.
My mom says nothing changes
as long as other person's
still colorblind.
[Walton sighs]
I miss her.
Do you ever miss your mom?
My mom? [scoffs]
Yeah,
I haven't thought about my mom
in a very, very long time.
I can't even remember
what it's like to be a kid.
-[Walton chuckle]
-Do you want to remember?
Try it.
What? Me?
Uh-huh. Yes, you.
Yeah, let's see.
Hang on.
I do red here,
you do blue here.
[Walton] Okay, okay, okay.
So, what do you think?
You're just like a robot.
Let it loose.
Hey, I'm a piano player,
not a painter.
I can only play the piano
with these hands.
Then imagine
you're playing piano with paint.
[Walton] What does that mean?
Hey, hey, hey, be careful.
Don't get it on the floor now.
Whoa, whoa, are you--
are you out of your mind?
Come on!
Come on, try it.
You know something?
I'm trying really,
really hard to like you,
but it's getting
very difficult, boy.
You told me
not to get on the floor.
See? I didn't.
Come on!
Okay, okay.
I got it, I got it, ready?
-[Walton humming]
-[piano music playing]
-Fun, right?
-[Walton grunts]
It is kind of fun, actually.
Nice play, high five.
[indistinct]
What color is this?
Purple!
Hey, you put blue and red
together and you get purple.
Oh.
[Walton] Yeah, oh.
Oh, Candace, my wife...
always wanted to have kids.
[chuckles] Now I know why.
Why didn't you?
Well, we almost did.
And then, uh...
and a drunk driver...
bad car accident...
You know,
the kid we would have had--
had a grandchild
about your age now.
-[electricity crackles]
-[Walton sighs]
-[Monet] What happened?
-[Walton] Oh, this old building.
I'll be back in a minute.
[match crackles]
And now we are cavemen.
[Walton laughing]
You know this--
I don't know what it is,
it's very strange,
but you look
awfully familiar to me.
Maybe you've seen my dad.
My mom says we look the same.
Well, maybe.
I wish you could have
saved him, too.
[Walton]
Saved who? Your dad?
Yeah.
He died from burning in a fire.
Oh, that's horrible.
I'm so very sorry.
It's okay.
I wasn't born yet.
The firefighters tried,
but they couldn't
get there in time.
When did he die?
While my mom
was pregnant with me.
That was back home, right?
[Monet] No.
When my mom and dad
used to be students here.
They used to work at
a painting studio downtown.
-[Walton] Mm-hmm.
-One day...
everything caught on fire...
and burned everything.
No, no,
that doesn't seem possible.
It can be
if you're not careful.
The paint caught on fire.
Everything got burnt.
-You want to come see?
-[Walton sighs]
Yeah, sure.
Just don't tell my mom.
She would kill me.
[Walton breathes heavily]
Is this your dad?
He was so burnt,
they couldn't bury him,
so they put him in that jar.
Was your wife burnt too?
No.
Do you have a picture?
[somber instrumental music]
Oh.
It's-- it's--
[sobbing] Oh.
[sobbing]
[Walton panting]
It's okay.
My mom says
he's in a better place now.
Yeah.
I-- I don't feel so good.
Excuse me.
[Walton sobbing]
Oh, look at me.
Oh, God, forgive me.
[sobbing]
God, I could've saved him,
but I didn't even try.
I didn't even try.
[sobbing and panting]
[indistinct clamoring outside]
[siren wailing]
[quiet, somber
instrumental playing]
[sobbing quietly]
[fire crackling]
-[distant gunshot]
-[people screaming]
[siren wailing]
[sirens wailing]
Monet?
Monet?
[contemplative
instrumental music]
Monet, you in there?
No, no, no, no.
[car horn honking]
[man screams]
[indistinct shouting]
-[glass shatters]
-[indistinct shouting]
[siren wailing]
-Hey, hey.
-Yo.
Do you know where
the police station is?
The station
got burnt down, kid.
No roads in or out.
You okay?
Where are your parents, huh?
Hold on, kid.
Mom, Mom,
are you in there, Mom?
[Walton] Monet! Monet!
What are you doing there?
[man shouting]
Come on, bro, come outside!
Let's go!
Go home, go home!
[fire crackling]
[Walton] Get away from there,
it's not safe.
Your mom is not there.
Where the hell's
the fire department?
Monet! Come back here!
Monet!
[all coughing]
[Walton] I gotcha, I gotcha.
[coughing continues]
Hey, come over by the car.
[Benyah coughing]
[siren wailing in distance]
Here, come on.
-[handcuffs clattering]
-All right.
Hey, did you see a kid
when you were in there?
Kid? What kid?
There's a whole
bunch of people in there,
-we gotta get them out.
-[indistinct]
I'll take care of that.
You gotta get out of here,
you're free now.
Come on, let's go.
Free? I've always been free.
You racist son of a bitch.
Hey, I'm just trying
to save you, man.
Look, the last thing I need
is a fucking white savior.
You're the one
that needs to be saved.
What the hell
are you talking about?
I've seen you rant
and rave all week
at those blue lives
racist rallies.
I know a white supremacist
when I see one, okay?
You don't understand,
things have changed.
-I've changed.
-Maybe for you, but not for me.
I'm going in there
to save my people.
Get the hell out of my way.
[bell tolling]
[muffled rumbling]
Hand me the boy,
hand me the boy.
Everybody, come on out.
It's not safe in there.
Let's go, let's go.
I can see a way out.
Just head into the light,
head into the light.
Follow the light,
follow the light.
[coughing] Follow the light,
just follow the light, guys.
[coughing] Anybody in there?
[coughing]
[fire crackling]
[somber piano melody]
Where are we going?
We're going to the place
where the sun rises in the East.
Where's that?
That's out
beyond the racial rainbow
of our sacred skin colors,
beyond all the judgmental books
on our God given covers.
Next to the alley
of acceptance,
where hate loses
all its powers.
There, there's a field of love
for you, me,
and all humanity lovers.
[uplifting music playing]
[music fades]