In a pregame chat before the Golden State Warriors took on the Washington Wizards, Steve Kerr made a point to clarify his role in the Oscar-winning short documentary, All the Empty Rooms. Despite being listed as an executive producer, Kerr humorously admitted, “Executive producer is a fancy way of saying I had nothing to do with it at all. But I'm incredibly honored to be associated with it.”
This powerful 35-minute film dives deep into a subject close to Kerr's heart: gun violence. It follows broadcast journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they explore the untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings across the United States. As an outspoken advocate for gun safety, Kerr was eager to lend his name to the project.
“They approached me about a year ago, and I jumped at it after reading about the project. Once I saw it, I was blown away by its beauty and poignancy,” Kerr shared.
For him, the film’s artistry serves as a crucial tool in addressing this pressing issue. “It perfectly threads the needle, avoiding the political discourse that often derails the conversation.”
While not involved in production, Kerr was instrumental in promoting the film, especially in the lead-up to the Oscars. He penned an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times, reflecting on America’s gun-violence epidemic and its personal impact on his life-his father, Malcolm, was tragically shot in Lebanon in 1984. Kerr also hosted screenings in San Francisco and Los Angeles, engaging in Q&A sessions with director Joshua Seftel.
“My role was really about promoting it,” Kerr explained. “The film is beautifully done, capturing the empathy and compassion of Steve and Lou as they entered these homes. It’s powerful.”
Despite not adding an Oscar to his collection of NBA titles, Kerr sees the film's impact as far more significant. He believes it can spark a grassroots movement, emphasizing, “It's not just about political change. It's about empowering people.”
Kerr passionately encourages everyone to watch the film, saying, “It's 35 minutes, but unforgettable. This is a movement we need to shift.
Our citizenry needs to move the issue forward because it's clearly stalled at the political level. The power of protest and movements is real, and I hope this film contributes to that cause.”
He stresses, “This isn’t a political issue; it’s a public health crisis. Watching the film, seeing the loss, you realize there are actions we can take to save lives.
It can feel daunting, but it's not hopeless. Legislation has saved lives, and the movement is what matters most.
We have to get something done.”
All the Empty Rooms is available for streaming on Netflix, offering a poignant reminder of the urgent need for change.