Ocala, Fla. – In a telling scene from the documentary “The Perfect Neighbor” directed by Geeta Gandbhir, a police officer in Marion County questions Susan Lorincz, a white Floridian resident, about her use of a racial slur toward her Black neighbors. Initially denying the allegation, Lorincz admits the possibility that the term might have “slipped out,” explaining it as a term taught to her for describing those she saw as “unlawful, dirty and generally unpleasant.” This exchange lays the groundwork for a documentary that delves deep into the heart of racial tensions and the perils of Stand Your Ground laws in the United States.
“The Perfect Neighbor,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, provides a compelling glimpse into these laws through a specific and recent confrontation that ended tragically. Susan Lorincz, feeling threatened, shot her Black neighbor, Ajike Owens—a mother of four—in front of her house in June 2023. The film leans heavily on police body camera footage to document the events and the community dynamics in Ocala leading up to the shooting.
Since Utah first passed Stand Your Ground legislation in 1994, allowing individuals to use force in self-defense without the duty to retreat, over 30 states, including Florida in 2005, have adopted similar laws. These laws have been the subject of significant scrutiny after high-profile cases like those of George Zimmerman in 2012 and the 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery by Travis and Greg McMichael, who also claimed self-defense. Critics, pointing to these cases and others, argue that the laws enable racially motivated violence and are supported by groups including the National Rifle Association.
“The Perfect Neighbor” paints a grim picture of the consequences of these laws. The film opens with emergency responders racing to a 911 call received from a devastated community. The police soon learn from neighbors that this was not an isolated incident. Lorincz, described as reclusive and antagonistic, had a history of altercations in the neighborhood. The year prior, she accused Owens of hitting her with a “No Trespassing” sign, an allegation refuted by bystanders and police footage.
Local law enforcement’s response sheds light on their treatment of Lorincz, whose actions were often dismissed or downplayed despite mounting evidence of her instability and threat to the community. This leniency starkly contrasts with their treatment of the Black families in the neighborhood, further highlighting societal disparities in law enforcement and justice.
The documentary also explores the broader implications of the encounter. Gandbhir’s nuanced storytelling not only revisits the incident but expands to look at its aftermath, including the community’s fight for justice for Owens and the broader societal impact highlighted by the involvement of figures like Al Sharpton at her funeral.
Ultimately, “The Perfect Neighbor” serves as a critical examination of how deeply ingrained biases can influence neighborly relations and legal outcomes. It challenges viewers to consider the human cost of legal structures like Stand Your Ground laws – questioning whose safety they protect and at what expense.
This emotional and investigative journey through one community’s nightmare serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing racial tensions and justice in America. It highlights the urgent need for reconsideration of laws that, while designed to protect, can also profoundly harm.
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