# Breathe Freedom: the John McNeil story (2026)

> A personal arrest after a self-defense incident becomes a searching documentary examination of racial justice and institutional power.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/7545998

## Facts

- Runtime: 120 min
- Genres: Documentary, Crime, History
- Director: William J Howard III
- Cast: John McNeil, Janet Conner-Knox, Ben Jealous, Edward Dubose, Mark Yurachek, Niaz Kazravi, Claudette Howell, Gray Whitley
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32986423/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: mild
- Mood: serious, harrowing, reflective, social justice film night, documentary discussion

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- [Strong Island (2017)](https://ember.film/movie/288673)
- [The House I Live In (2012)](https://ember.film/movie/59835)
- [The Thin Blue Line (1988)](https://ember.film/movie/8430)

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