The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM
27 October, 2024
I watched The Greatest Lie Ever Sold, and honestly, I had a lot of mixed feelings about it. The film, led by conservative commentator Candace Owens, dives into George Floyd’s death, the aftermath, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. It positions itself as an exposé of what Owens calls the “exploitation” of Floyd’s story and BLM’s alleged financial mismanagement.
From the get-go, it’s clear this documentary isn’t trying to be objective. It’s unapologetically critical of the BLM organization and the broader social justice movement. While that’s fair game for any documentary, the tone felt more like an attack than a genuine exploration of issues. For example, Owens questions Floyd’s character and brings up his past, which feels like a distraction from the central issue: the circumstances surrounding his death and the systemic problems it represents. That being said, I do think the film raises some points worth discussing. For one, it delves into the financial accountability (or lack thereof) within BLM’s leadership. Owens presents allegations of questionable spending by the organization, which is something a lot of people, supporters and critics alike, have wondered about. If nothing else, this part of the documentary encourages more transparency, which is probably something any nonprofit should strive for.
But for me, the bigger issue is how the documentary frames Floyd’s death and the broader movement. It felt like the film tried to reduce a massive, nuanced social issue into a black-and-white argument. The narrative comes across as dismissive of the pain and frustration that fueled the protests, focusing more on discrediting individuals and organizations than addressing the larger questions about systemic racism and police brutality.
Visually and stylistically, the documentary is polished, but its substance feels more like a polemic than a balanced investigation. It’s not really designed to change minds, it’s made for an audience that already shares Owens’ perspective. That’s not inherently bad, but it limits how impactful the film can be in fostering meaningful dialogue.
As I watched, I kept thinking about how this film might affect different viewers. For someone who’s skeptical of BLM or feels the movement has been mishandled, this documentary will probably confirm their beliefs. But for those who see BLM as a vital force for change, the film will likely feel dismissive, even offensive.
Ultimately, The Greatest Lie Ever Sold isn’t a documentary that seeks understanding or unity, it’s a piece meant to provoke and reinforce a particular viewpoint. If you’re looking for something that dives deep into the nuances of systemic racism, activism, and reform, this isn’t it. But if you want to understand Candace Owens’ perspective or hear criticisms of BLM, it delivers on that front. Just...maybe be prepared to fact-check as you watch.
From the get-go, it’s clear this documentary isn’t trying to be objective. It’s unapologetically critical of the BLM organization and the broader social justice movement. While that’s fair game for any documentary, the tone felt more like an attack than a genuine exploration of issues. For example, Owens questions Floyd’s character and brings up his past, which feels like a distraction from the central issue: the circumstances surrounding his death and the systemic problems it represents. That being said, I do think the film raises some points worth discussing. For one, it delves into the financial accountability (or lack thereof) within BLM’s leadership. Owens presents allegations of questionable spending by the organization, which is something a lot of people, supporters and critics alike, have wondered about. If nothing else, this part of the documentary encourages more transparency, which is probably something any nonprofit should strive for.
But for me, the bigger issue is how the documentary frames Floyd’s death and the broader movement. It felt like the film tried to reduce a massive, nuanced social issue into a black-and-white argument. The narrative comes across as dismissive of the pain and frustration that fueled the protests, focusing more on discrediting individuals and organizations than addressing the larger questions about systemic racism and police brutality.
Visually and stylistically, the documentary is polished, but its substance feels more like a polemic than a balanced investigation. It’s not really designed to change minds, it’s made for an audience that already shares Owens’ perspective. That’s not inherently bad, but it limits how impactful the film can be in fostering meaningful dialogue.
As I watched, I kept thinking about how this film might affect different viewers. For someone who’s skeptical of BLM or feels the movement has been mishandled, this documentary will probably confirm their beliefs. But for those who see BLM as a vital force for change, the film will likely feel dismissive, even offensive.
Ultimately, The Greatest Lie Ever Sold isn’t a documentary that seeks understanding or unity, it’s a piece meant to provoke and reinforce a particular viewpoint. If you’re looking for something that dives deep into the nuances of systemic racism, activism, and reform, this isn’t it. But if you want to understand Candace Owens’ perspective or hear criticisms of BLM, it delivers on that front. Just...maybe be prepared to fact-check as you watch.
