I walked into the Atlanta premiere of CYCLE without knowing the story of Ty’Rese West. I left saddened, angry, and questioning how a tragedy like this could happen without more people knowing his name.
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The October 23 screening at the Plaza Theatre brought together Killer Mike, filmmakers Laura Dyan Kezman and William Howell, and Ty’Rese’s mother, Monique West. A substantial number of people from Racine, Wisconsin, were also in attendance. Their presence made the weight of the evening even more powerful. This was a community carrying a loss that remains deeply personal.
CYCLE examines the death of 18-year-old Ty’Rese West, who was fatally shot by Mount Pleasant Police Sergeant Eric Giese in June 2019, and the struggle for answers that followed. Prosecutors declined to charge Giese in September 2019, concluding that he acted in self-defense—a decision that prompted community protests and demands for accountability.
Watching the film, I found the policing depicted confusing and deeply troubling. The circumstances surrounding the encounter and the barriers facing the family left me struggling to understand how this could be considered an acceptable outcome. Seven years later, it is infuriating to see a family still seeking the justice and accountability they believe Ty’Rese deserves.
Throughout the evening, my emotions moved from sadness to disbelief to anger. Knowing that Ty’Rese’s mother was in the room made the experience especially emotional. For those of us learning about her son for the first time, this was a painful introduction. For her, it is a loss she continues to live with.
The panel featuring Killer Mike, Kezman, and Howell gave the audience an opportunity to sit with what we had just witnessed. With so many people connected to Racine present, the distance between an Atlanta movie theater and a Wisconsin community felt much smaller.
I am thankful for filmmakers who use their gifts and platforms to bring attention to injustices in their communities. Kezman and Howell have created an opportunity for people like me—people who had never heard Ty’Rese’s story—to learn, ask questions, and help carry that story forward.
For those who missed the premiere, CYCLE has additional opportunities to be seen:
- Atlanta — The Tara Theatre: November 2 at 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6 p.m.; November 3 at 11:30 a.m., 4:15 p.m., and 6 p.m. Visit The Tara’s ticket page to confirm availability.
- St. Louis — St. Louis International Film Festival: November 7 at 5 p.m. at Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium. See the festival listing for admission details.
Go see CYCLE. Bring someone who may not know Ty’Rese West’s name. Give his story your attention.
I left the theater changed. I believe you will, too.
