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Know Peace

Name: Know Peace
Director: Aleem Mahdi, Najeeb Muhammad
Released: 2020
Duration: 71 min

Representation Score

8.5/10

Excellent

2020

TV-MA

Director

Aleem Mahdi, Najeeb Muhammad

Runtime

71 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Know Peace is a work of social realism that prioritizes systemic critique over escapism. By centering the Black experience and the anxieties surrounding state authority, the film offers a profound look at racialized trauma and institutional vulnerability. The narrative architecture uses personal tragedy to challenge conventional Western formulas. Instead of focusing on individual triumph, it explores how external, oppressive forces shape the protagonist's psychological state and moral convictions. While the film excels in racial and cultural deconstruction, it lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation and does not clearly demonstrate gender-subversive elements in the current character descriptions.

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Category Breakdown

Does Know Peace have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The narrative focuses primarily on familial and racial dynamics. There is no explicit mention of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships within the story.

How does Know Peace portray gender?

Fair

Female characters like Charmaine play a central role in the protagonist's emotional journey. However, their roles seem tied to secondary plot tensions rather than demonstrating independent ability to act.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Know Peace?

Excellent

The film centers the Black experience by drawing parallels to real-world systemic issues. It prioritizes the lived realities and anxieties of characters of color.

How does Know Peace represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques institutional structures and the systemic impact of firearm prevalence. It deconstructs traditional notions of law and order through a lens of systemic injustice.

Does Know Peace include disability representation?

Good

The film explores psychological trauma and anxiety stemming from childhood violence. This provides a realistic depiction of how past systemic violence informs mental health.

Present on Screen

Strong centering of the Black experience and systemic racial anxieties.
Nuanced portrayal of psychological trauma and mental health impacts.
Effective critique of institutional power and law enforcement structures.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight relationships.
Female characters appear tied to secondary conflicts rather than independent ability to act.
Limited evidence of subverting traditional gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

The film "Know Peace," is based on a day in the life of a young man, who ultimately is faced with an altercation with the police, similar to that of Mike Brown, Tamir Rice or even a George Floyd. Noah, a 21 years old college student has been traumatized by guns since his childhood, ever since his little brother (Elijah) was killed when they were involved in an innocent tussle with a firearm on Noah's 6th birthday. 15 years later, on his highly unfavorable birthday, Noah is faced with a series of events that question his Gun-Free oath. He is taunted by his best friend possessing a new firearm, discovering his sister's (Charmaine) boyfriend is secretly plotting to set her up, as well as dealing with the anxiety of aggressive police officers paying a visit to his mother's home.

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