[siren blares]
[police radio chatter]
Is there, uh-- Is there anything wrong, Officer?
Get out of the car.
Driver's license.
"Peter Thomas Simon." Face the car.
[radio chatter continues]
Turn around slowly.
Officer, I was only speeding 'cause I was trying to get back, uh--
get back South for a business opportunity.
- [gun cocks] - [patrolman] This nigger's got a gun.
[grunts]
Afraid I'm gonna have to write you a hefty ticket, Mr. Simon.
Thank you.
Something tells me Peter Simon's not gonna pay this.
Shit, what are we gonna do?
Tajo ran off with all the money.
[Bert] Forget about him. We'll find someone else.
While we finding somebody else,
that dude could be out there talking. Turning me in.
- Huey, he doesn't even know who you are. - That's what you hope.
The only way we find out for sure is I die.
All right, let's talk about this somewhere else.
And where might that be?
Do not say--
Roz?
Holy--
I was thinking unholy.
Oh. I'm gonna send that little ass to hell. Babe.
- [chuckles] No, no. Keep the shoes on. - [Roz chuckles]
- Hey, Roz. - Oh, fuck.
- No, he is not here. He is gone. - [Steve] He is here. He is here.
- We hit a-a bit of a roadblock. - [Huey] I appreciate everything
you're doing and-- and, uh, I'll be out of here soon.
I promise. I got my people working on it.
Huey, is that you? You're back. How was Cuba?
Hey, little man.
Well, I haven't been yet, but I'ma go soon.
[stammers] And how you doing, man?
- I know this is asking-- - Go sleep in the screening room.
If he's not out of here in 48 hours, I'm calling the FBI myself.
I am not putting my kid at risk for this shit.
We have another production meeting in the morning.
Feel safer already.
I need you all to get out there and find me another plane.
I-- I mean, if you ask me, man, Tajo bailing was an omen.
You're Aquarius, Huey. You're like the Water Bearer.
We never should have tried to send him by air, man. That was bad.
It was bad. I'm sorry.
[Steve] Shut up, Hoppy.
Okay, I'm-- [stammers] I'm gonna get us drinks. Okay?
- Artie, you still got that boat in Miami? - [Artie] Yeah, in dry dock.
But it-- it's not equipped to cross the Gulf. [chuckles]
So, get it fitted.
Yeah. Radar. Sonar. I mean, put a Chevy engine in the motherfucker
- if you have to. - With what money?
We just spent the last of our cash on an airstrip and a Cuban.
Not to mention,
we still need another hundred grand to finish Hearts and Minds.
- Or did you forget about that? - Artie, you're gonna fly to Miami tonight.
You're going to get your boat ready. And then we just gotta figure out
- how we're going to get Huey there. - Bon voyage, my friend.
Fuck! Don't mean to be a killjoy...
- Too late, motherfucker. - ...but, um, we got company, man.
- What? Feds? - [Hoppy] Yeah, man.
[Bert] Shit.
How the fuck did they find us? I thought we had this place on lockdown.
They must've followed somebody, unless somebody told them where to go.
- Better not have been Roz. - She's fucking crazy. But she's cool.
- [Bert] What do we do? - We can't stay here, man.
I gotta go meet Teressa, at the very least.
She's taking a train down from Oakland. I gotta take care of my people.
Look, this place has a, uh, back exit.
- Is that right? - [Steve] Yeah.
All right. Check it out. Everybody's going to split, all right? Same time.
Separate cars, separate directions.
I'ma hang back and make sure they take the bait.
What if they don't go for it?
I ain't going back to jail, man. I spent way too much time there already.
All right.
[Huey] It's been happening all month, ever since the party split.
Where is all this shit coming from?
Man, whoever it is, really stepping it up.
Well, last week, a coloring book came out. Something we supposedly gave to the kids.
Had this drawing of some panther cubs blowing away some pigs.
Nah. We would never do that.
It's propaganda.
Probably the folks that sided with Eldridge.
Party's all splintered. Got brothers killing brothers.
[sighs] All this shit's coming down on me, man.
I thought you had that white boy now.
Isn't that why you ain't visited?
You know, I'm on trial for my life here, Huey.
I know that, Bobby.
And I'm out here every day working hard to get you out, man.
[sighs deeply] Man, being in here-- Man, it makes my skin crawl.
Listen, I couldn't-- I couldn't do it, man. I'm sorry.
You're here now, though.
Man, you notice how at some point
we stopped measuring time in days and weeks?
And started measuring it in trials.
People coming in, people getting out. Arrests, arraignments.
Funerals.
There's never gonna be a time it's not that, I don't think.
'Cause they won't be happy till every last one of us is locked up
or gunned down.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, breathe, breathe. Calm down. Tell me what's going on.
The feds are outside.
[exhales sharply] I gotta get the fuck out of LA.
Yeah, I agree.
Man, how long before, uh, Artie gets the boat?
[stammers] Oh, he's already on his way to Miami. The plan's in motion.
You're getting to Cuba.
All right, all right, look, we will call you right back.
Bert, that was Artie.
Our plan just got blown right out of the water.
[reporter] ...on the coast of Florida this morning...
- One of those is Artie's. - ...taking out everything in its path.
- Our South Beach aerial coverage... - [Bert] Oh, shit.
- ...shows boats washed up along the... - [Huey] Man, now what?
- Well, we'll figure it out. - Man, the feds are here.
Oh, they're not coming in. They don't have a warrant.
You think they need a fucking warrant?
[Bert] They think we're making a movie. They have no reason to.
Kunstler's got his guys posted up at the courthouse.
If they're coming in, we'll know.
They're not getting you.
[Huey] You know what they'll do to get to me.
Now, we just wanna thank y'all for coming,
'cause we worked hard to get here.
And, uh, this is ours, all right?
So, welcome everybody to Bobby Seale's People's Free Health Care Clinic.
- Long time coming, brother. - You know it, brother.
Man, the rent on this place must be sky-high.
Yeah, damn near high as the moon.
- [chuckles] - And you know who's on the moon.
[camera shutters clicking]
It's worth it, brother. People deserve it.
Yeah, I'm just glad I got out in time to see it.
I declare this clinic now open.
[explosion]
- [screaming, clamoring] - [Huey] What was that, man?
- [distorted screaming, clamoring] - [alarm blaring]
The explosion rocked the Youth Recruitment Center
of the radical Black Panther Party.
Police believe the device was a low-yield pipe bomb.
Wasn't no youth recruitment center.
You know "The Man" owns the media.
[Bobby] I thought we cooled things out with Eldridge.
I did. I gave him the New York chapter. New Jersey.
[scoffs] What more they want from me, man?
And we still getting death threats?
Some days so bad we can't even answer the phone.
Last week, Central Committee got a letter from a cat in the pen
I thought was my friend.
Said that I, uh-- I got out early 'cause I, uh, cut a deal. Turned informant.
Come on, man. They can't take that serious.
But they did, Bobby.
Anybody who knows you knows that that is a damn lie.
That's what I'm trying to tell you, man. Rival faction. Someone close.
I don't know which way I can roll anymore to keep the shiv out my back.
When I walk down the street, man... [stammers] ...anybody could get me.
I don't know when it's coming, man, but it's-- but it's coming. I can feel it.
Death... right round the next corner.
[inhales deeply]
[person] Bert, if you are harboring that fugitive
the FBI is gonna rain fire. You think the blacklists were bad?
Well, not for us they weren't.
Oh, God. I am so sick of you rehashing shit from 30 years ago.
Dad betrayed his friends when he ran this place.
He protected his family! You know, family?
Like Judy, the wife you walked out on
- chasing your dick. - Stan, Stan, Stan.
I'm worried about you. The stress, it's--
it's-- it's not good for the system, you know?
- Bert, why-- why are you here? - I want you in my life.
- You're my brother... - I'm sorry.
...not just the head of the studio.
Why the fuck are you here?
Hearts and Minds.
Yeah, where the fuck is it?
I need another 100K to finish.
- Go see The Jackoffs. - I'm not going to see The Jackoffs.
- You can't be desperate and picky, Bert. - They were pricks when they were kids,
and they're pricks now. They wear those stupid Docksiders.
They've probably never even been on a boat before.
Well, now they all have yachts. So, take their money.
- Fine. - Great.
I just gotta borrow the Columbia Jet.
- What? - Yeah, we got reshoots in Miami.
We just established I'm out of cash.
Fucking asshole.
[Bert] This is a fight
for the conscience of our country.
It sounds political.
Oh, no, no, no, no. It's an action flick.
A-- A war movie. Shoot-outs. Bombings. Jungle combat.
And all it takes is 200 for all of you to have your names on it as producers.
Maybe. But you'll do it for 100. It's a doc.
[sighs] It's a documentary.
Fine. Hey, do any of you guys have a boat?
- [investor 1] Two. - [investors laughing]
[patron laughing]
Uh, I'm gonna wanna borrow one of those.
Excuse me, I'll be right back.
- I don't find that funny. - [Bert] Paula Feinberg?
- [guest, Bert] Hey. - Bert.
[chuckles] I thought I saw you.
Mmm. You look good. Candice has a knack.
Oh, yeah. We're not together anymore.
- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. - Ah, it's temporary.
Her birthday party is tomorrow.
I will be there.
Oh, you know Otis?
Otis Williams, of course.
- I'm a big Temptations fan. - My man.
- Hey, I'm happy to hear that. - Yeah?
Hey, do-- do you mind if I just talk to Paula for two seconds?
- I won't keep her from you for long. - Not at all.
- I'll meet you at the table. - Okay.
Take it easy.
Hey, listen, do you know a Cuban smuggler, goes by the name of Tajo?
Uh, I do. Yeah, last time I saw him
he pulled me out of a jam and flew Billy Preston to Catalina.
He had to land in a field of buffalo. [chuckles]
[chuckles] So, he stiffed me for 25K.
And I'm worried that he's gonna run his mouth to someone with a badge.
Oh-- Oh, I think I know who this is about.
[scoffs] The thing about Tajo is he's a flake.
The way people who are into flakes can be.
But he always resurfaces, eventually.
If for no other reason than he needs more cash.
I gotta know for sure.
[sighs]
I'll give you points on Hearts and Minds.
[scoffs] That movie is never gonna come out.
What?
- [scoffs] - Well, do it for the revolution.
I got news for you pal, that project's dead too.
Well, do it for me.
Sure. I'll talk to you tomorrow at Candy's.
I will find out if the guy is singing to the feds.
You're the best. I'll see you tomorrow.
- I gotta run. - Okay.
[sighs]
- [film playing] - Why are we watching this again?
You seen it a hundred times.
It's John Shaft. I'll see it a hundred more times.
I didn't bring you here to be a film critic.
I need to figure out a way to get to Miami.
Maybe we can get some Panthers to drive you.
You stay at some folk's houses.
No, no, no. There's too many people that could, uh-- That could rat me out.
What I need is a person I can trust and a car that I can hide in.
[stammers] Let me think on it. Give me a few days.
I ain't got a few days. One day.
How's everything going with those people that got that-- That lost their homes?
Folks still camping on the street.
But, uh, why-- why don't y'all go out there and do some donations.
Some collections, or something.
Your way or the party way?
Just-- Just do the best you can, Teressa.
I'm getting static.
Especially up there from Ceddy.
He's trying to take over the party now that you're gone.
If you have trouble, call Larry, all right?
Everybody will fall in line. And I'm--
I'll, um...
- I'll send a message-- I'll-- - [sighs]
I'll send a message to Big Bob.
Why is everybody staring?
'Cause we're talking in a movie theater.
Where's Gwen?
Maybe she can help you keep the party running.
Gwen's not a soldier.
Teressa, you are.
I know. I'd hate for her to break a nail.
Come on, just be cool.
I'm just saying.
[person chewing]
Say, man-- Hey, man, why you-- why you come sit behind me?
- Half the seats are empty. - [shushes]
Shh, yourself.
Why you sitting behind me, man?
It's a free country. And I like the view.
Hey, man, go find-- go find yourself somewhere else to sit.
Make me.
- Don't, Huey. Not now. Huey. - This motherfucker--
- [grunts] - [gasps]
- Think you talking to, man? Huh? - [Teressa] Stop. Just--
- I told you to find another seat, man. - Let's go.
All these goddamn seats in here empty and you come sit behind me.
Get out the goddamn way.
["Everything's Gonna Be Alright" playing]
[people chattering]
Play it cool, my brother.
Can't let this shit get to you.
All right.
Come on, baby. Let me help you get loose.
Fuck did you call me?
- [song distorts] - [high-pitched whining]
Turn off the music.
Turn off the music!
[song stops]
- [shushes] You hear that sound? - [high-pitched whining]
High-- High, uh-- High pitched. You hear it?
Where is it? I know it's here.
What's he doing?
[objects clattering]
[Gwen] Huey, what's going on?
[panting]
[Bobby] Whoa, whoa, whoa, brother.
Huey, there's nothing there.
[breathing heavily]
That is sophisticated.
Feds.
All the crazy shit, the threats, the-the bombings.
It's been the feds the whole time.
[Bobby] You gotta stay strong, brother.
Get all these motherfuckers out my pad.
- Huey. - No! Everybody, everybody.
Except you and Gwen.
[Bobby] You heard the man. Out.
What about them white boys that moved in next door?
Oh, they're just a couple of hippies, Huey.
They ain't feds.
They was over here smoking weed with the fellas
- last week. - [shushes]
[breathes heavily] I know you motherfuckers are there.
I know you hear me.
[chuckling]
- Tomorrow we break in. - Fancy that.
- [banging on wall] - Yep.
- Move the furniture around. - [agents laughing]
Get some shit.
[laughing]
- [banging continues] - Yeah.
[judge] We're here for the warrant application
to search the residence of Mr. Steven Blauner.
The warrant's airtight. You'll find three affidavits, mine and--
And two other FBI agents.
All with a vested interest in breaking the Panthers.
When is this fascist police state harassment gonna end?
Harassment?
We're pursuing a fugitive
who's wanted for the attempted murder of a 17-year-old girl.
Your Honor, if I may,
the FBI has been "pursuing" Huey Newton for years,
starting with J. Edgar Hoover and Richard Nixon declaring war.
Cointelpro.
Spying on our own citizens, assassinating, discrediting, and framing people.
This was not about guns.
This was because their social programs were trying to help people.
This is everything that is wrong with our country.
Your Honor, those are top-secret government documents--
Thirteen raids in eight months.
Often waking him and his girlfriend at gunpoint.
Using their propaganda machine to start wars with rivals.
Fulminating violent opposition within his own party.
Do you know they even staged a shootout in his hallway
- in hopes of drawing him out to get shot? - [gunshots]
- These men have no shame. They're vicious. - [people screaming]
We are trying to stop an enemy of the state.
[Bill] They saw the programs worked and change was happening.
Mr. Clark, did you find any sign of Mr. Newton
in your search of the Schneider residence?
- No, your Honor. But that doesn't mean-- - Is there any other new information
to support this application?
The application is solid, Your Honor.
Afraid I don't agree. Warrant denied.
[gavel pounds]
- [Sydney] Fucking bureaucrats. - Yeah, well, the hell with them, man.
Listen, I think I got you a consolation prize.
What is this?
Invitation to Candice Bergen's birthday party?
Schneider's gonna be there.
- He's not gonna bring Newton. - Yeah, that's not the point.
The point is that I already talked to the DA.
He seems to think that the weed we seized at that kid's party
is enough for an arrest warrant.
- For Schneider? - Case might not stick.
Doesn't matter. We'll squeeze him like your sister did my nuts.
- She is good. Isn't she? - You're better.
See ya later.
Fucking Candice Bergen.
- [bombs exploding] - [film projector whirring]
[film projector whirring]
How did it go?
Wait, I thought we talked about this sequence?
Weren't we gonna start with the General and then--
How did it go with The Jackoffs, Bert?
It was fine. [stammers] It was fine.
Did you get the money for the film?
No, right there. That's-- Go back three. Can you go back three, uh, frames?
Yep. One, two, yeah-- So that it comes in just--
Can you give us the room?
- What are you doing? - Jamie, give us the goddamn room.
I'm in a meal penalty anyway. And I haven't been paid in three weeks.
What?
All of our money now is tied up in that.
Oh, I know. It's my house on the line.
People haven't been paid. We can't shoot anything new.
You said this was the most important movie of our lives.
This movie is gonna end a war.
It's gonna save thousands of innocent people from getting killed.
Do you remember that?
What makes you think that I even got the money?
- [chuckles] I can smell it on you. - [Bert chuckles]
Yeah, 'cause I know what it means when you come in a room and avoid a question,
it means you're up to some shit.
So if you've got money, Bert, every cent-- every cent needs to go into this film.
Because you can't take it now and use it
for what I know you're thinking about using it for.
This is our lives, Bert.
[sighs]
Huey's my best friend.
We met in a sandbox when we were five years old, and this is your loyalty?
I'm not gonna let his people starve, sleep in the streets.
But what about your people?
The people out there that work for you. That depend on you.
That are gonna be out of a fucking job because of you.
I'm just trying to do what's right. And I don't-- I don't even-- [sighs]
I don't even know what that is.
That's what the fuck life is. Life is choices, you fucking infant.
[scoffs] You know what I'm realizing right now?
You never had to make a choice about us.
Because no matter what cockamamy idea shot out of your dick,
I was always right fucking there.
So now, when you need to make your choice, you better fucking choose us.
Bert, what the fuck are you doing?
I have a family. They look at you like an uncle.
Roz is on the verge of leaving me.
This is our fucking company. Don't do this.
Say something!
Fuck you.
[sniffs]
[sighs]
- [sniffs] - [knocks]
- You okay? - [sniffs]
Uh... [scoffs] ...m-my head-- uh, head-- head's spinning.
[sighs]
Well... [grunts] ...maybe I can... [sighs] ...help give your mind a little peace.
In about 36 hours, the Columbia jet's gonna fly us to Miami.
- Then what? - Artie's sailing a new boat down from Rye.
A 40-foot yacht.
And from there, it's just a hop, skip and a jump to Cuba.
Sound good.
Yeah.
[sighs]
The other thing is, uh... [stammers] ...I may have found a--
[sniffs] A better going-away present for you.
You can't do that. That-That's your Oscar, man.
That's your ticket, uh, back into the game, man.
Come on. That-That-That movie's important, Bert.
That movie's everything to me.
Thank you, man.
Yeah.
["The Reds" playing]
[Teressa] I would've picked you up. Ooh, you look like hell.
[sighs, sniffs] I'm all right. Just, uh--
Shit, just need some sleep.
I got, uh...
Damn. This'll keep us afloat.
You keeping things straight up north?
I did like you said, leaned on Larry. [chuckles] Still ain't working.
How, uh-- How's Gwen?
I-I-- F-Feds been tailing her since she got back.
I told her not to call you till things died down.
- If I was there-- - Well, you can't be.
- Or if Bobby was there. At least we-- - I'll figure it out.
Just get your ass to Cuba. We'll deal with it from there.
I mean, will we?
Hell, what's-- what's gonna be left to deal with?
Shit. Look at this mess I'm leaving behind.
I mean, you're just going to continue to fight from somewhere else.
Feels like I'm just giving up.
Bullshit.
You changed the world.
Got a whole generation knowing Black Power, feeling what that means.
It's not the end. It's just another battle.
Get to Cuba. Usher in the revolution.
Come back when the time is right.
Can you believe it?
- We leave tomorrow. - Yeah.
Columbia jet's all set. I checked this time.
So, where'd you sneak off to last night?
I just had to drop the check off to Teressa.
Oh, yeah? Is that the only thing you dropped off?
Come on, man.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[sighs] Hold on a second.
- [Bert] What? Who is it? - You're not gonna believe this.
- Who is it? - It's Tajo.
Phone's right there.
[sighs]
Yeah.
Hey, I heard you have been looking for me.
You disappeared on us. Where's my money?
I got jammed up, schedule-wise. Okay?
All right, just give me my dough back.
I've got a swing gang of union guys who break bones.
No, no, no, no, man. We're straight.
I made a quick run to Panama.
I thought it was gonna be a quick turnaround, but then Alberta hit.
You know, I-I couldn't take off on account of air traffic control being down,
but I'm back, you know? We're set.
[laughs] Guy's so full of shit.
[Tajo] Hey, I can fucking hear you. I'm not full of shit.
Listen. I'm working at Paramount.
Why don't we just meet at Canter's, and you bring the package? Understand?
Bring the package.
[inhales sharply] 5:00 p.m. Don't even think of yanking my chain.
It's on.
- It's so on, it might never wash off. - [line disconnects]
[inhales sharply] You don't believe that dude, do you?
[scoffs] Hell no.
Steve, go bust this Cuban's balls and... [sighs] ...get us our 25K back.
Come on, Steve. We need that money.
- Me? - Hey, Steve, man, don't worry.
I'll, uh, send a couple of LA soldiers down there to watch your back.
[Bert] Yeah, you go to Canter's, we'll meet up at Candy's party,
then get Huey to the airport. Uh, you can handle it. [chuckles]
[Steve] Bert says jump, and Steve's supposed to fucking fly.
[chattering]
How you doing? How you Gwen?
[Ceddy] Hell, to cross over that Bay Bridge...
[Panthers chattering]
[sighs] Anyway...
[Teressa] Hey, hey. 'Sup.
[chuckles] Right?
Don't you know you supposed to stand when a lieutenant walks into the room?
[sighs, chuckles]
Come on, Ceddy. Stand.
[chuckles] Do you see a lieutenant?
'Cause I don't. All I see is some castrating bitch...
[Panthers gasping]
...thinking she can run shit around here now that Huey's gone.
- [chuckles] - [Panther 1] Right, right.
Oh, lookie here, Big Bob.
Now, you know I'm tight with the Servant, right?
[chuckles] Call--
[grunting, groaning]
- Mmm. - [Ceddy] Shit.
- [coughs] - [Panther 2] They fucked him up.
[grunting, groaning]
You see a lieutenant now, motherfucker?
[Ceddy grunts]
- [bell rings] - [deli worker] Who's next?
- [server] What can I get you, doll? - Just a black coffee.
No, wait. You know what I would love?
Blueberry blintzes.
- Hmm. Good choice. - [Steve] Thank you.
[Tajo] Hey.
- Tajo. - Mm-hmm?
Where you been?
[Bert] Hey, Candice.
[Paula] Bert! Bert.
- I've been trying to call you everywhere. - Did you talk to him?
The feds are here. They have a warrant. They're gonna arrest you.
Don't, don't, don't. Don't turn around.
- What? Tajo's working with the feds? - [sighs] It's worse than that.
He's mobbed up. There's a hit on Huey.
Oh, God. Oh, God. Steve.
We've been looking all over fucking town for you.
Okay, time is money. Gotta skiddoo.
- Where's the package? - Oh-- Oh, now time is money?
- Yeah. - Okay. What's your rush? Eat something.
No, no. The package.
Tajo, I gotta tell you right now, I hate fucking eating alone, okay?
So you should probably order something, or the package is gonna arrive
on a slow boat from China.
That don't look like no fucking Huey Newton.
[mobster] Something's off. This feels like a setup.
Call-- Call Canter's right now. Get Steve out of there.
Give this to Candy. Tell her I'm sorry.
Thank you, thank you.
- Excuse me. - Hey, wait.
[shouts] Shit. Fuck!
Come on, come on. Get off the phone.
- [line beeping] - [sighs]
I mean, can I really pull off a center part and a shoulder-length flip
- like Olivia Newton-John? - [Steve] Ah.
Thank you. Margaret.
- Pretty name. - Really? You think so? [chuckles]
How's your tongue?
- All I care is about the package. - Mmm.
What is it?
A box? A person? An animal?
'Cause I don't do endangered species, you dig?
Okay, you know what?
- It is an endangered species. - [Tajo] Mmm.
Job's canceled, Tajo.
Now you give us our money back, or we're gonna take your plane in trade.
Ah. So, this, um, endangered species...
Sí.
...wouldn't be a black panther, would it?
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
'Cause that is a special cargo that requires special handling.
Also, that's another 25K.
- Oh, now you want more money? - Mm-hmm.
Why don't you go fuck a bear?
Now give us our money back right now...
- No refunds, asshole. - ...you two-bit fucking thief--
Okay, you know what? I hope you enjoyed working this town,
- 'cause you are fucking done. - [shushes]
- I'm gonna make it my life's-- - Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down.
Gun! He's got a gun!
[people clamoring]
[people screaming, clamoring]
[gunshot]