Explore the daring escape of Huey P. Newton in new documentary, “The Big Cigar,” delving into the history of the Black Panther Party.”
A Black Panther revolutionary and a Hollywood insider walk into a bar and plan a caper that has the latter helping to smuggle the former out of the country. If you thought this was a joke that was being told, It’s not. This fascinating story, involving political activist Huey P. Newton and movie producer Bert Schneider, who made counterculture classics such as “Easy Rider” — forms the basis of the new six-episode Apple TV+ series “The Big Cigar.” The series, which debuted on May 17, 2024, weaves serious themes into the jaunty energy of a heist.
Developed by Jim Hecht and based on a 2012 article by Joshuah Bearman, “The Big Cigar” begins with Newton, played by André Holland, offering a disclaimer: “The story I’m about to tell you is true. At least, mostly true. Or at least how I remember it. But it is coming through the lens of Hollywood, so let’s see how much of my story they’re really willing to show.”
The series is set in the summer of 1974, when Newton is arrested on charges of assaulting a tailor and fatally shooting a teenage prostitute. Believing it to be a frame-up amid tensions with local police and the FBI, Newton seeks help from Schneider (Alessandro Nivola), with whom he had been developing a biopic. Schneider devises a plan involving a fake movie production in Cuba, aptly titled “The Big Cigar,” to help Newton escape the country. This premise bears a striking resemblance to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis escape depicted in the Ben Affleck-directed “Argo,” also based on a Bearman article.
Schneider’s plan becomes a comedy of errors, fraught with logistical and psychological challenges. Despite the dire circumstances, the series maintains a light-hearted approach, balancing the brutality of racist police and internal Black Panther Party conflicts with moments of levity.
André Holland shines as Newton, capturing his roiling intensity, justified paranoia, and tendency to hold grudges. Newton’s clear-headed assessment of rigged systems and his temper, which sometimes gets the best of him, are portrayed with nuance.
“The Big Cigar” offers a unique lens on Newton’s legacy, focusing on his four-week-long escape to Havana. While the series highlights his political work and the choices leading to his flight, it sometimes struggles to find solid ground, occasionally overshadowing the core of Newton’s story with its elaborate heist narrative.
Despite these narrative challenges, Holland’s performance, the detailed set design, and the electric musical score make “The Big Cigar” a compelling watch. The series, now streaming on Apple TV+, is a messy yet engaging exploration of a pivotal moment in Newton’s life, blending history with Hollywood flair.
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