The Sleeping Negro

A young man (played by the director, Skinner Myers) has many plans for his future. He wants to settle down, start a family, get promoted at work and earn better money. When his boss orders him to forge a minor document he refuses - in defense of his reputation and fear of the consequences, but fails to deal with the blackmail. The boss has power as well as other advantages over his employee, not the least of which is his white race. The day on which our hero agrees to execute the fraud will prove fateful, and show that America is still a country strongly divided by race, with inequality and intolerance spreading insidiously, especially of late. This film is the quintessence of the difficult year of 2020 in many respects, highlighting what Americans have long wanted to forget: a bloody history of interracial tension, ignorance and a lack of empathy. In The Sleeping Negro, director Skinner Myers confronts these demons methodically, step by step, clearly demonstrating that the ideals of freedom, equality and tolerance in today's United States are mere fairy tales.

Audience award nominated film. Please pick up a voting card on entering the screening and tear in a place marking your opinion and throw it into an assigned box after the screening (cards and boxes will be available at the theaters). The filmmakers have a chance of winning $10,000.