When Claude Got Shot

Premiered May 9, 2022

Directed by

Brad Lichtenstein

After being shot in the face by a teenager, can law student Claude find it in himself to forgive his attacker?

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About the Documentary

In Milwaukee, a 15-year-old attempted to carjack law student Claude Motley and shot him in the face. Through multiple surgeries and catastrophic health care bills, the effects of gun violence upends Claude’s life. Yet he still finds himself torn between punishment for the young man and the injustice of mass incarceration for Black men and boys. Can he find mercy in his heart for his attacker?

The Filmmakers

Brad Lichtenstein is a filmmaker, virtual reality storyteller, radio producer, and founder of 371 Productions. He has been nominated for two Emmys and won two DuPonts and a Peabody. Recent films include the PBS FRONTLINE documentary American Reckoning (with Yoruba Richen) and the Participant documentary Messwood (with Emily Kuester). When Claude Got Shot is his third film for Independent Lens.

Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Santana Coleman is the co-producer and impact campaign advisor of the documentary When Claude Got Shot. She is the co-creator of Black Girl Training, a comedy TV series, and is currently in pre-production for her directorial debut with the short film The Last Week, where she also serves as writer and producer.

Steven Cantor is an Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning producer/director and the founder of New York City-based Stick Figure Productions. Recent credits include Citizen Ashe (CNN 2022), Relentless (Discovery 2021), Hood River (HBO 2021), Twyla Moves (PBS/American Masters 2021), STEP (Fox Searchlight/HULU 2019), and DANCER (HULU 2018).

Full Credits