The Throwaways tells the story of activist filmmaker and ex-felon, Ira McKinley, documenting his struggle to bring positive changes to his community in inner-city Albany, NY. Weaving McKinleyʼs personal narrative of survival with stories of social movements rising up, the film takes an intimate look at the challenges facing urban America. As he strives to get his voice heard, McKinley also confronts the unavoidable stories of his past, battling against personal demons and the stigma of being an ex-felon. Guided by McKinley’s story, The Throwaways intimately explores the complex challenges facing African American males, specifically issues of mass incarceration and police violence. The Throwaways is more than just an illumination of marginalized people at their weakest moments; it is a call to action, a story of directly engaging in the struggle for justice.
