'I am Judah' Film Screening

You're invited to a Film Screening

'I am Judah'

Cell Phone Sousveillance and Police Accountability?

 'I am Judah’, a cinematic documentary film about an Easton community elder and former police race relations advisor ‘Ras’ Judah Adunbi, who police tasered in the face in Bristol, UK while he was walking his dog in a case of ‘mistaken identity’. A twist to the story is that this was not the first or the last time that Ras Judah was a victim of police harassment and violence and (purported) 'mistaken identity'. The officer who discharged the taser, was found not guilty at criminal trial and also cleared of misconduct.

If it wasn’t for Judah’s neighbour, Tom Cherry, who filmed the incident, we might never have known what really happened.

Using verbatim script, poetry and cinematography to reinforce a deeply personal narrative, and with input from a policing lawyer Associate Professor Clare Torrible, director Bashart Malik highlights the danger of system failure, a lack of mindfulness and a closing of ranks that led to a violent incident at Ras Judah’s home, and the subsequent unravelling of the trust systems we expect to live by. The film isn’t a documentary expose, but a deeper exploration of the meaning of identity through one man’s eyes, with a completely independent approach. The 'I am Judah' film screening is co-sponsored by the University of Newcastle School of Law and Justice Centre for Law and Social Justice, and the University of Newcastle Centre for the Study of Violence. 

Associate Professor Clare Torrible 

Associate Professor Torrible’s research focuses on the legal structures of police governance and accountability and their impact on police legitimacy. Her published work includes doctrinal, theoretical and empirical analysis leading to conceptual and practical impact in a range of areas, including police complaints, police stop and search, trust in the police and police use of technology.

Date:         Friday 20 November 2026

Time:         4:00pm

                  Light afternoon tea will be served after lecture.

Location:   University of Newcastle, NUspace Building – Room X202

                  409 Hunter Street, Newcastle 2300

RSVP:        By close of business Wednesday 18 November 2026 — don't miss out!