When Collin (Daveed Diggs) is released from prison, the thing with "Bra" and "Nigga" is for him, the funny gangsta rapper games and the scene codes are done. Be normal, lead a quiet life, no more posing. His friend Miles (Rafael Casal) may continue to give the dangerous and wave weapons, Collin just wants his girlfriend Val (Janina Gavankar) back and become solid with her, the social psychology student. Above all, stay under the radar as long as the curfew is eleven o'clock for him and the cleaning plan in the dormitory for prisoners on probation. Two months in prison and one year probationary period, three days to go to freedom.

Freedom? An illusion, if you live in the African-American district of West Oakland in California, if you are black and the white rest of the world, especially the cops, braids, associates with deals and worse. Even Collins's prison sentence was a misjudgment - Miles had actually beaten up the white hipster who had carried his drink past the black bouncer of the club and into the street against the rules. What Miles, the would-be black and white "Black Lives Matter" activist, stunk while Collin tried his "Violence Is Not a Solution" program. Prize question: Who was arrested and booked? Collin or Miles? And who learns what exactly from it?

"Blindspotting" (2018), a highly amusing and at the same time politically explosive indie film about racism, class issues and gentrification by and with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, shows the relative impossibility of friendship between the two main characters Collin in an openly and unconsciously prejudiced living environment. Blind spots everywhere, defense mechanisms, Val can explain it and relies on personal education. Against the structural change in the city. Hopelessly optimistic, because the shabby streets of West Oakland are currently being bought by whites who drink green smoothies for ten dollars, are managers at the fashion jewelry label “Pandora” and hold after-work parties on Fridays with 150 whites and three “alibi blacks”.

As moving company employees, Collin and Miles are now forced to trump African-American history.

Dispose of photo albums and furniture left behind by residents of the houses being sold.

Miles' long-term friend Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones) worries about the future of their son Sean (Ziggy Baitinger).

How should he learn that violence is not a solution?

And “Hot Stone Pole Dance” isn't the hottest shit, but wellness piss?

Preschool in the better neighborhood costs a fortune, and Miles talks about alienation from the community.

Whereby of all people he found his very personal, fluid variant of authenticity as a black-by-choice.

Meanwhile, in West Oakland, little remains constant.

Like white cops shooting black young men and getting away with it.

Situation comedy with a twist and depth

Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs have turned the cool, difficult and tragic friendship story of the film into a series spin-off with a feminist-anti-racist tone and bright colors that is well worth seeing. They still don't believe in the activist index finger. From situation comedy with twist and depth, from blatant rap and irony all the more. The focus now is on Ashley (still Jasmine Cephas Jones), who has more questions to clear up and everyday difficulties to cope with since Miles was in jail himself (and both of them have the funniest conversations on visits that have ever been overseen by police officers).

Ashley is now working in a costume uniform with a grotesque neck bow as a receptionist in a hotel with a manager who is Native American, which is of no use against racist customer complaints ("know your place"). She moved in with Miles 'mother Rainey (Oscar winner Helen Hunt) and Miles' half-sister Trish (extremely funny and incredibly sad: Jaylen Barron).

As a single parent, there's even more stress with Sean (now played by Atticus Woodward).

If he kicks his mother - disguised as a ninja - should she give him some time out, fight back or temporarily tuck him into a T-shirt with the sleeves sewn up, as a colleague recommends?

Rainey advocates a targeted slap in the face, but she's a white mother too.

The topic of non-violent upbringing also draws “Blindspotting” into its comic, dialog-strong and sometimes bizarre cosmos of enlightened gold mining.

Anyone who could do something with the BR / Arte film “Gentlemen” will be taken on an even more profound trip into the black of blind spots with “Blindspotting”.

Blindspotting

, from this Sunday on at Starzplay.