Residue is a fictional drama film directed by Merawi Gerima. It revolves around the story of Jay, a young filmmaker who returns to his hometown in Washington DC, after being away for many years, to write a script about his childhood experiences. However, when he reaches there, he finds that his neighborhood has changed dramatically. It's now filled with towering buildings and expensive restaurants and is far from the community he knew in the past.
As Jay struggles to come to terms with the changes, he reconnects with his childhood friends, Demetrius and Kevin, who have also been pushed out of the neighborhood due to gentrification. The film highlights the impact of gentrification on marginalized communities and its effects on working-class families.
As Jay digs deeper into his past, he uncovers painful truths about the death of his sister, who was killed by the police, and the rift that formed between him and his father. He begins to realize that his family and friends were victims of systemic oppression and that their stories deserve to be heard.
Residue is a poignant portrayal of a community grappling with the effects of social and economic change. The movie features outstanding performances from the cast, and the cinematography captures the beauty of the surviving elements of the old neighborhood juxtaposed with the modernity of the new development.