Ethnicity

A Father’s Legacy and a Son’s Duty Benny, a disciplined and introspective 19-year-old Chaldean, works at his father Samir’s gas station—a symbol of the family’s hard-won stability after fleeing their war-torn homeland. Samir, a man of quiet strength, trusts Benny to manage the station while he attends a crucial business meeting. Benny’s sense of responsibility is unwavering, but his world is about to collide with the volatile racism simmering in the streets. The Poison of Prejudice In a middle-class home, Matthew, a busboy with a deep-seated hatred for Black people, indoctrinates his younger brother Timothy with his toxic beliefs. Matthew’s bigotry is rooted in ignorance, and he sees rap music, Black culture, and interracial relationships as threats to his worldview. Timothy, impressionable and curious, begins to question his brother’s rhetoric, but the seeds of division have already been sown. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, a woman consumed by her own racial biases, clashes with her husband Ryan over their son Kyle’s relationship with Maria, a Black woman. Elizabeth’s hatred stems from a traumatic family history, but her refusal to confront her own prejudices drives a wedge between her and Kyle. Ryan, who once loved a Black woman himself, urges Kyle to hold onto love despite the hatred surrounding them. Love in the Crossfire Kyle and Maria’s relationship is a beacon of hope in a world clouded by racism. Their love is genuine, but it’s tested at every turn—by Maria’s mother, who questions Kyle’s ability to satisfy her daughter, and by Elizabeth, who sees their relationship as an abomination. When a violent encounter at a local store leaves Maria dead and Kyle shattered, the fragility of their love becomes a tragic symbol of the cost of hatred. The Cycle of Violence Ricky, a self-proclaimed “thug” with a chip on his shoulder, embodies the anger and frustration of a community pushed to the brink. He and his friend Hubert wander the streets, fueled by alcohol and resentment, lashing out at anyone they perceive as an outsider. Their rage leads them to Benny’s gas station, where a confrontation spirals into a deadly shootout. Benny, armed with nothing but his wits and a shotgun, stands his ground, but the encounter leaves both sides in ruins. Hubert, the only survivor, wakes up in a hospital bed, haunted by the consequences of his actions. As the police interrogate him, he’s forced to confront the ignorance that led to the tragedy. His remorse is too late—his friend Ricky is dead, and so is Benny, an innocent young man caught in the crossfire of hatred. The Cost of Ignorance Matthew’s bigotry lands him in jail, where he meets Brad, a white man with a Black partner and child. Brad’s love for his family shatters Matthew’s stereotypes, but it’s too late—his ignorance has already destroyed his life. In a brutal act of irony, Matthew becomes the victim of the very violence he once condoned. Timothy, now left to his own devices, begins to see the world differently. With Matthew’s influence gone, he turns back to the rap videos he once loved, this time with a new understanding: race doesn’t define a person’s worth. A Call for Change Ethnicity is more than a story—it’s a mirror held up to society. It challenges viewers to confront their own biases, to question the narratives they’ve been fed, and to recognize the humanity in others. Through its unflinching portrayal of racism, love, and loss, the film asks: How much longer will we let hatred divide us? In a world where ignorance fuels violence and love is often the first casualty, Ethnicity is a plea for understanding, a call to break the cycle, and a reminder that the cost of hate is too high for anyone to pay.