Photo credit: www.thewrap.com
Netflix is reportedly in discussions to secure the rights to the Sundance documentary titled “The Perfect Neighbor.” This film delves into the tragic events surrounding the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, by her neighbor Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old white woman residing in central Florida.
The documentary captures the before-and-after dynamics of a community deeply affected by violence. Through the use of police body camera footage, it portrays the peaceful existence of the neighborhood prior to the incident and the significant disruption that followed.
Director Geeta Gandbhir, known for her award-winning editing work, adopted a unique narrative style that exclusively utilizes this police footage to convey the story. In a discussion at TheWrap’s Sundance Studio, she emphasized the importance of showcasing the community’s life leading up to the tragedy. “We got our hands on the body cam footage, and we realized how critical it was to show the before of this story,” Gandbhir remarked. “We often see the aftermath of such a tragedy, right? But how rarely do we see the community and the family as they were before?”
The film also addresses contentious issues such as “Stand Your Ground” laws, racial tensions, and the divisions that can arise within a community. Gandbhir pointed out how the footage starkly illustrates a once-harmonious neighborhood that was shaken by individual actions. “None of these other people call the police, none of these other people do that. It’s her,” referring to Lorincz’s repeated complaints about children playing in the vicinity.
In November 2024, Lorincz was handed a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted of aggravated manslaughter, marking a significant legal outcome in the case.
The initial report of these developments was made by Variety.
Source
www.thewrap.com