Film Review: Following Harry

Directed by Susanne Rostock
94 min – United States

Following Harry covers the last 12 years of Harry Belafonte’s life, focusing on his human rights activism. A social justice activist since he was a young man, he initiated, supported, and inspired countless movements and individuals.

The documentary tracks Belafonte beginning at roughly the time of Trayvon Martin’s murder, which triggered massive demonstrations across the nation. He was immediately engaged in Black Lives Matter activities, guiding organizers to utilize peaceful protest methods. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Women’s March, and March for Our Lives.

We observe him in conversations with youth groups, prisoners, protest leaders, politicians, actors and musicians, who all come away with new inspiration, and amazement at how he retained so much energy and fight in his 90s. It also looks back at his relationship with Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, and numerous other public figures.

Among the many programs he fostered were: a workshop for songwriters in Upstate New York, a further education program for prisoners at Sing Sing, and the organizations fighting to change gun laws. He worked with a young, dedicated team, who facilitated his travel and meetings, allowing him to maximize his energy.

It is clear in every scene of the documentary that he was a constant beacon of hope for everyone around him, but was also realistic about what had to be done, when the time was right, and when methods needed to be improved. He expressed the anxieties and challenges of each era with eloquence, realism and motivation. We need more Harry Belafontes, especially now.