Deborah Riley Draper Discusses 13 Days in Ferguson Documentary on Paramount+

On August 9, 2024, exactly 10 years after the tragic police shooting of Michael Brown, CBS and Paramount+ premiered 13 Days in Ferguson, a powerful documentary directed by Deborah Riley Draper. The special revisits the protests, riots, and emotional aftermath following Brown’s death, through the eyes of key figures such as Captain Ron Johnson and St. Louis native Cedric the Entertainer. 

13 Days in Ferguson is currently available to watch on Paramount+.

Deborah Riley Draper is no stranger to telling powerful, often overlooked stories. As an award-winning filmmaker, her work shines a light on moments and figures that have either been forgotten or intentionally dismissed. But with her latest project, 13 Days in Ferguson, Draper embarks on a journey that feels deeply personal, urgent, and profound.  

Through intimate interviews and personal accounts, Draper offers a poignant reflection on those fateful 13 days, weaving the narrative around Captain Ron Johnson, a retired lead task force officer who played a crucial role in maintaining peace during the protests. The project is executive produced by Cedric the Entertainer, a St. Louis native, adding another layer of personal connection to the story. 

In a recent Q&A about the project, Draper discussed what drew her to the story of Ferguson, and why she felt compelled to revisit the protests ten years later. “Why was it important to tell the story of Ferguson, specifically through the lens of law enforcement?” Draper reflected on how the tension between the police and the community during those protests shaped national conversations around race, policing, and justice. “I wanted to provide a perspective that bridges both blue and Black. Captain Ron Johnson’s experience, as a Black man leading law enforcement efforts in Ferguson, offers a unique and deeply personal view on the complexities of race in America.” 

Draper’s filmography is a testament to her dedication to providing cultural representation, giving voice to those who have been marginalized or forgotten by mainstream narratives. Her previous works, such as Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, The Legacy of Black Wall Street, and Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution, all highlight Black history and the resilience of the Black community. When asked what motivated her to produce such culturally significant projects, she shared a striking anecdote about her work on Versailles ’73. “A study claiming the ‘unattractiveness of Black people’ is what led me to make that film,” Draper explained. “It was important to reclaim that narrative and showcase the turning point for African-American models in the fashion world.” 

This same drive to reclaim and reshape narratives is what fuels Draper’s work on 13 Days in Ferguson. The film is not just a documentary about the past; it is a meditation on where we are today. As Draper noted during the Q&A, the film is about lessons learned and the progress that has (or has not) been made in the decade since Brown’s death. “What progress do you think has been made since Ferguson?” Draper asks herself in the documentary, acknowledging the slow and painful pace of change in America’s justice system. Yet she remains hopeful, pointing to the conversations sparked by movements like Black Lives Matter and the growing awareness of systemic racism in law enforcement. 

Central to Draper’s work is her deep respect for the voices of women, especially Black women. In her film RATIFIED, for example, Draper highlights the contributions of Black women in the fight for gender equality through the lens of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). “What drew you to highlight Black women in the ERA movement?” Draper often emphasizes the intersection of race and gender, pointing out how Black women have always been at the forefront of both the civil rights and women’s rights movements. “For over 400 years, Black women have demonstrated remarkable resilience,” she said, “and I feel responsible as a filmmaker to ensure their stories are told.” 

Visit ratifythefilm.com to locate a screening near you.

This sense of responsibility is what makes Draper such a compelling storyteller. In 13 Days in Ferguson, she doesn’t shy away from difficult questions or painful truths. Instead, she confronts them head-on, asking viewers to reflect on what justice really looks like in America. “How do we heal as a country when these traumas keep happening?” she asks. It’s a question that permeates every frame of the documentary, as Draper guides us through both the heartbreak and the hope that Ferguson has come to represent. 

Looking ahead, Draper hopes her film will serve as a catalyst for continued conversations around race, justice, and healing. “What do you hope viewers take away from 13 Days in Ferguson?” Draper’s response is simple yet profound: “I hope they see the humanity in these stories. I hope they understand that the fight for justice isn’t over, and that we all have a role to play.” 

Deborah Riley Draper’s 13 Days in Ferguson stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. It is a testament to her dedication as a filmmaker and her unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices and stories that need to be heard. Through her work, Draper asks the tough questions and challenges us to think about the kind of future we want to create. And as the film airs on the 10-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, Draper reminds us that these stories—these lives—are far from over. 

In her final remarks on the documentary, Deborah Riley Draper noted, “I hope 13 Days in Ferguson opens up deeper conversations about justice, healing, and the need for systemic change. We cannot move forward without understanding where we’ve been.”