It was produced by Abrahams and Pearlman.
The film has earned a spot on the coveted Oscar shortlist despite lacking distribution.
When we think about great trials, we dont think of this one, Abrahams tells Deadline.
Open Eye Pictures
But when you start to look at it, it actually is.
The film dials back to 1967 when police in Oakland pulled over a van in which Newton was riding.
The trials outcome would hinge on the strategy of defense attorney Charles Garry.
Defendant Huey Newton meets in jail with his defense attorney, Charles GarryCourtesy of Associated Press
Above all, he aimed to seat a panel of open-minded jurors.
We were used to a jury of 12 white men, basically.
And that really had not been challenged up until the time.
What he did was bold and brave and also came with a lot of risk.
David Harper did not assume that [Newton] was innocent… Judge Monroe Friedman presided.
Newton took the stand and the judge gave him exceptionally wide latitude to articulate his defense.
The whole issue of the 400 years of racism was something that the judge allowed, Abrahams adds.
In most courts, it would not be allowed.
Especially in the 60s.
We cant even think about it.
The directors retained voice actors to bring the court transcripts to life.
Testimony in the trial mitigated the perception some people held that Newton had acted in cold blood.
In 1970 the conviction was tossed out and two retrials resulted in hung juries.
The original trial changed the way jury selection is conducted across America.
The film itself is history-making.
This really is the first time that the jurors have talked about the trial in any significant way.
Abrahams has made the Oscar shortlist before, with his 2008 feature documentaryUnder Our Skin.
Achieving that distinction withAmerican Justice on Trialcame as a surprise because of the truly independent nature of the production.
We didnt have the marketing money to put into it.
I like to think because of the merits of the film, it got us to where we are.
He adds, We will be distributing it educationally.
We think this has a good a good place in the education market.
We want to use it for universities and law schools and law firms.
In terms of broader distribution, we dont have a deal yet.
Maybe thatll change if we get a nomination.
