Unraveling the Dark Side of Sovereignty: Film Review
Quietly making its debut over the weekend, ‘Sovereign’ is a cinematic representation of a heartbreaking event from Memphis, which held the country in shock and still echoes in the corridors of memory: a 2010 traffic halt in West Memphis that culminated in the fatal shooting of two law enforcement officers and two ‘sovereign citizens’. The film brings to life an intense conflict between cops and followers of a deeply rebellious ideology profoundly skeptical of government power, making it highly relevant in our current socio-political climate marked by fears of a ‘deep state’, J6 insurgency, pardoning acts, election misinformation campaigns like ‘stop the steal’, ICE operations, contention around Epstein files, among other issues.
May 20, 2010, witnessed a grim scene on the roads of West Memphis. A white Plymouth Voyager, bearing out-of-state Ohio registration plates, was traveling Eastbound on Interstate 40 when it was flagged down by the local authorities as an element of a broader drug clampdown operation. The vehicle was operated by one Jerry R. Kane Jr., a self-proclaimed ‘sovereign citizen’, who staunchly believed himself free from government oversight and regulation.
Kane, aged 45, was not in possession of a driver’s license nor had he properly registered his vehicle, raising the officer’s suspicions. However, he was found to be carrying more than just legal infractions; Kane had not one, but two out-of-state arrest warrants pending against him. As if to further amplify his criminal undertakings, a solid brick of cannabis was also discovered in his car.
Trouble erupted after the traffic stop at Exit 275. A struggle ensued, and Jerry’s son, 16-year-old Joseph T. Kane, made a fateful decision. He grabbed hold of an assault rifle and let loose a hail of bullets at the unsuspecting officers. Brandon Paudert, aged 39, and Bill Evans, aged 38, were tragically caught in the line of fire. Evans fell, peppered with 14 bullet wounds, while Paudert was hit 11 times.
The tragic saga of the Kane family came to a violent end mere hours later. They were cornered by the local police force in a parking lot of Walmart Supercenter location in West Memphis, leading to a fatal firefight. Both members of the Kane family were killed in the exchange.
The shocking incident wasn’t just a local tragedy; it garnered attention at a national and global level. Renowned media house ‘The Commercial Appeal’ went as far as publishing an in-depth feature, shedding light on the lives and motivations of the men caught in this deadly encounter.
The film ‘Sovereign’, in an attempt to represent the gravity of the real-life events, comes with an R rating by the Motion Picture Association, owing to its explicit portrayal of violence and strong language. Interestingly, the filming of ‘Sovereign’ was done in 2024, and the chosen locations — Fayetteville, Springdale, and Lincoln — all lie in the state where the actual incident unfolded, Arkansas.
‘Sovereign’ explores the complex, often misunderstood world of ‘sovereign citizens’, using the actual names of the real-life characters. The narrative primarily centers around the Kane family, but it also introduces a fictitious investigating officer, bringing a touch of creative liberty to the otherwise true events.
Briarcliff Entertainment, the film’s distributor, characterizes ‘Sovereign’ as a ‘tense and provocative true crime thriller,’ offering a chilling look at a series of tragic events that prompts a reflection on power, integrity, and the boundaries of liberty. The film made its first appearance at the prestigious Tribeca Festival in New York, on June 8.
Feedback for ‘Sovereign’ has so far been considerably positive. The majority of reviews point towards an appreciation of the film, signifying its successful engagement with the audience, even though it is still very early in its release cycle.
Although the movie ‘Sovereign’ was only set for a reserved theatrical launch, the producers are as hopeful as one can be. On July 11, the film is slated to open on 53 screens, marking its official entry into the world of cinematic storytelling. The anticipation—both from the creators and viewers—is palpable as ‘Sovereign’ promises to present a piece of history with its own unique interpretation.