State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith
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State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith is a documentary about a woman who killed her rapist in self-defense. But her Stand Your Ground claim was denied, and she had to take a plea deal, admitting to murder. Her case helped to shine a light on the unfair treatment of women in states with Stand Your Ground laws. According to the film, the most extensive study done analyzing Stand Your Ground cases in Alabama found that women are twice as likely to be denied. Details of the crime may be triggering for SA survivors. Expect a recounting of the events that led up to the killing. In this recounting, a woman is chased, struck, choked, beaten, strangulated, bitten, and raped repeatedly. The man threatened to kill her many times. She escaped by getting her brother over to her house to drive them all to get cigarettes. After her brother found out about the assault, the two men got into a fight. Then the rapist strangulated the brother, and he wouldn't stop, so the woman shot the rapist. The rapist was addicted to methamphetamines and was a heavy drinker. Many adults smoke cigarettes throughout. Strong language includes brief instances of "f--k."
What's the Story?
In STATE OF ALABAMA VS. BRITTANY SMITH, a woman who is chased, beaten, choked, bitten, held down, and raped repeatedly kills her rapist after he threatens to kill her and her brother. But when she tries to make a Stand Your Ground self-defense claim, her case is denied.
Is It Any Good?
This short documentary is honest, to the point, and effective as a case study about the Stand Your Ground law in Alabama. Brittany Smith is open and direct about her experience, and State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith does a good job at providing background and context for the case. With testimonials and interviews with Brittany Smith, her mother and brother, the lead investigator, and others, this documentary makes a strong argument against a system that treats women differently than men accused of the same thing. Men claiming the Stand Your Ground defense are told that their killings are "justified," while women are twice as likely to be denied.
For many, this documentary will be a tough watch, however. With not much of a happy ending, viewers might feel defeated. Hopefully, the publicity and awareness this film will generate can help to reduce if not end altogether the double standard for women and the Stand Your Ground law.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in documentaries. Do you think it was important for the violence in State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith to be represented authentically? Why or why not?
Do you think the film treats its subjects with dignity and respect? How so or not so?
Do you think you would have made any different decisions than Brittany Smith? If so, which ones?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 10, 2022
- Cast: Brittany Smith, Dawn Hendricks, Chris McCallie, Ramona McCallie
- Director: Ryan White
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism
- Run time: 40 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: thematic content involving sexual assault and brief strong language
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
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