O.J.: Made in America marks the merging of two trending topics — the first season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series American Crime Story, which features Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson, and investigative docu-series like Making a Murderer and Serial. Made in America is a new five-part documentary film series for ESPN’s 30 for 30, which attempts to paint the bigger picture of Simpson’s life as a black athlete in the spotlight. To give a better idea of what we’re talking about, ESPN has released the first Made in America trailer.
Punctuated by footage of Simpson’s arrest and trial, and the bloody crime scene, the video sees the man before the infamous scandal of the decade. “I told him, ‘O.J., you’re breaking the laws of God,’” says a voice. “One day everybody’s going to know everything that you’ve done, man.” Also featured are dueling versions of the song “Sinnerman,” about a guilty man attempting avoid the wrath of God.
Watch the trailer below.
Ezra Edelman, who helmed previous installments of 30 for 30 “Requiem for the Big East” and “The Opposition” from its Soccer Series, directs Made in America. He told Entertainment Weekly (which first debuted the trailer) of the project:
It is a much bigger story, one that explores O.J.’s life and how race and his pursuit of celebrity shaped it…while at the same time documenting the racial dynamics of L.A. and the relationship between its police force and black citizens — a relationship thrust front and center into the discussion of the murders, and one that proved a vital determinant in the outcome of the trial.
The opening episode will debut on ABC on June 11th at 9 p.m. EST before ESPN airs and re-airs the series starting June 14th. Those attending the Tribeca Film Festival can see the entire seven-and-a-half-hour series in its entirety marathon-style on April 23. Edelman will follow up the screening with a Q&A on April 24.
