Being a part of the first audience to view Clay Tweel’s documentary was an honor, to say the least. ‘Out of Omaha’ is the frustratingly real story that follows the ferociously determined Darcell Trotter for eight years.
Saturday, November 10th, was the third day of DOC NYC in which a diverse demographic came together to hear Darcell’s story. Beginning when he was just a young nineteen years old in 2010, we are immediately introduced to that closest to him– his twin brother Darell Trotter. Tattooed with their fathers’ gang name, it is clear that Darell leans paternally as they live with their mother in North Omaha.
At this point early on, we witness Darcell fresh out of cripping and looking for better opportunities to match his potential. The documentary breaks down the historical statistics of Black Americans and their significantly disadvantaged lives compared to the white demographic. Omaha has one of the highest killing rates for Black Americans while simultaneously being one of the wealthiest places for the white demographic. This dynamic provided the context for what Darcell was perpetually experiencing. He took the huge step to leave gang life despite it being his sole source of income and protection and apply to Avenue Scholars. This program was specifically designed for at-risk youth and taught by the men and women who escaped the systematically oppressive lifestyle of poverty in North Omaha.
While Darcell began schooling for music production as an attempt to pursue his passion for rapping, his twin, getting into a situation in which he almost killed a man, moved to live with their father. This separation caused a tangible tension and brought a sense of lack of safety to both siblings. Darcell had difficulty committing to his education since going back home to his hood every night threw him headfirst into the gravitational pull of gang life.
This got the best of him when he had another felony added to his name incorrectly. Being in that setting caused him to wrongfully take the fall of his friends who stayed safe due to his unfaltering loyalty. Being in jail took Darcell through a lot and the fear leading up to his admittance was felt by all supporting characters and the audience as we watched him call his loved ones to tell them the news. Police brutality and the unjust justice system unbiased towards Black Americans is seen full force as Darcell is among grown men: hands cuffed.
He joins his brother under his fathers’ roof after his sentence ends. This step was only for the best and the two share large smiles in how happy they are to be reunited. They try and try to convince their young step-brother to get out of gang life and live with them in order to get him on a better track. After this fails, they also lose him to prison, as he is found guilty for a double murder. Darcell visits him in jail for most likely the last time they will ever speak and his baby brother tells him he would rather kill himself then stay in jail. This is the first time we see him cry and express his hopelessness.
Darcell has a baby girl with his girlfriend at the time and after her filing a restraining order, ignoring his texts and calls and running from him, he finally wins the fight for partial custody. He defines his child as the reason life is worth living as we see him run around a playground with her and charmingly feed her fries in the back seat of his truck. The audience and everyone in his life can see his intrinsic role of hero father and he effortlessly lives up to his expectations.
Executively produced by incredible rapper J. Cole, the film had a sonic edge to it that really wrapped a bow tight around it. The soundtrack consisted of songs that were telling of what it meant to be Black against a white background. This ranged from ‘Neighbors’ by J. Cole to our very own protagonists’ rap ‘Reminiscing’. The score adds an authentic dimension to the film as it consists of artists Darcell grew up exposed to.
The film ends on a high note with both twins living together in their own place and opening their storefront together. Their sheer resilience and work ethic continuously shines through every single conflict. The concept of giving up is admirably beyond them. ‘Out of Omaha’ is the heartbreaking yet utterly motivating documentary sprinkled with bits of humor and vulnerability that you need to see this Fall.
