The 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right white nationalist rally is the subject of the HBO documentary film “No Accident” debuting on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. on HBO. The film runs 97 minutes.
The rally led to the death of Heather Heyer, 32, of Charlottesville, at the hands of a participant in the rally, James A. Fields Jr.
In 2019, Fields was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Kristi Jacobson, the film gives behind-the-scenes access to attorneys Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan and Karen Dunn who filed a civil lawsuit against 17 white nationalist leaders and organizations on behalf of nine plaintiffs who suffered physical and emotional injuries while peacefully counter protesting the rally.
The lawsuit alleged that the event was not an isolated, spontaneous gathering, but rather a well-planned and coordinated conspiracy to incite racially motivated violence and to advance an anti-Semitic, race-war agenda.
“No Accident” chronicles the trial, where co-counsels Kaplan and Dunn along with attorneys Michael Bloch and Jessica Phillips, go head-to-head against alt-right and white supremacist leader Richard Spencer and extremist podcast host Christopher Cantwell, among other defendants.
When Spencer and Cantwell represent themselves at trial and act as their own attorneys, the plaintiffs must confront their attackers on the witness stand during cross-examinations.
Revealing the vitriolic online language and communiqués that led to the death of Heyer and the lasting trauma of many who were present on Aug. 12, 2017, through testimony from the trial, the film exposes a broad network of conspirators and details the challenges of holding those leaders and organizations liable for their actions.
“No Accident” will also be available to stream on Max.
Promo video
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Crystal Graham
