An Afro-Caribbean woman puts a cellphone in front of the camera. The smartphone has a picture of her son, the late Nicholas Gibbs. NFB tells Gibbs’ story in Night Watches Us, showing director Stefan Verna interviewing Gibbs’ family. His family speaks for him because he’s no longer alive, falling victim to police gunfire in 2018.

One of Night Watches Us‘ interviewees is Gibbs’ nephew, who talks about being each other’s support system. Interviews like this emphasize the connections that police sever when they decide to kill people.

A few of the interviewees in this documentary are Gibbs’ white, English speaking neighbours. One must take note about the language she and the Gibbs family speak, different from Francophone Montrealers. 

These interviewees’ racial background are important because their presence in Night Watches Us feel conspicuous. Like why do these white allies get voices in a forty minute long Black documentary? Their presence here is important because it shows that Gibbs lived in a racially diverse neighbourhood. Night Watches Us dispels this idea that Black issues exist beyond ‘Black’ spaces.

Night Watches Us has an air of urgency to it despite these events happening in 2018. It gets that sense of urgency when subjects discuss or rewatch Gibbs dying. Another neighbour, a healthcare practitioner, comments on police incompetence in dealing with neurodivergent people. Gibbs’ nephew also talks about his reluctance to watch the video but feels it’s necessary.

He feels it necessary because the police accused Gibbs of attacking the police with a knife. The video shows no such thing, and it’s predictable that police departments lie about this. But it’s up for the community to tell the truth and restore Gibbs’ good name. Night Watches Us’ ending is bittersweet, as his memory lives on within the community.

Courtesy of the National Film Board