Yahoo Movies Michael B Jordan's legal drama Just Mercy made free to watch in the US in June to support Black Lives Matter
Legal drama Just Mercy has been made free to view online in the US in support of Black Lives Matter.
The 2019 film, based on real events, stars Michael B Jordan as civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson as he defends Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), an African-American man who was wrongfully convicted of murdering a white woman in the 1980s.
Warner Bros has now announced that the film will be available for free rental on digital platforms for the whole of June. It comes in the wake of worldwide protests in support of Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd.
Related: Marvel's Michael B Jordan opens up about the challenges of playing a real person in Just Mercy
Floyd died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck as he lay on the ground. Derek Chauvin, the officer who pinned him down, has since been charged with his murder.
In a statement, Warner Bros said of Just Mercy's free release: "We believe in the power of story. Our film Just Mercy, based on the life work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, is one resource we can humbly offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society.
"For the month of June, Just Mercy will be available to rent for free across digital platforms in the US.
Related: Star Wars actor John Boyega joins Black Lives Matter protests in London
"To actively be part of the change our country is so desperately seeking, we encourage you to learn more about our past and the countless injustices that have led us to where we are today," the statement continued.
"Thank you to the artists, storytellers and advocates who helped make this film happen. Watch with your family, friends and allies. For further information on Bryan Stevenson and his work at the Equal Justice Initiative please visit EJI.org."
Speaking to DigitalSpy earlier this year, Foxx shared why he thinks the movie is so important. He told us: "It's interesting, when you talk about movies like Parasite or movies that we may not know the culture. But when movies are great they have no boundaries, and I think Just Mercy really exemplifies that."
Jordan added: "I feel like people from all over the world have been able to connect with the movie and relate. That's why we're getting the response that we're getting, because they all feel like that could have been them or somebody that they know, they know what that looks like."
Jordan and Foxx have been among those to show support for Black Lives Matter following Floyd's death, the latter saying at a press conference recently: "I think that what you saw on television, to watch this man plead for his life.
"As I sit with my two daughters, my nephews... what it does is, it over-complicates everything as a black man trying to tell his son or his daughter how to function in life. Even the things that we've taught them don't seem to work."
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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