SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW! Madeleine Farley’s documentary Fist Bump takes an uncompromising look at the unintended consequences of cancel culture. Marcus Knight is a young college student with autism and cerebral palsy. When he discovered musical theater in high school, it opened a whole new world. Musical theater is how he best expresses his feelings. His dream is to one day perform on the Broadway stage. His indomitable and bold spirit led to a full ride at Saddleback College.
Finding himself in a new college environment, Marcus was eager to make friends with his signature fist bump. As his friend group grew, so did his troubles. One day, Marcus was accused of sexual harassment. It was reported that he stalked a female student, put his hand on her shoulder, and shot an unauthorized selfie. As a result, Marcus was required to be escorted from class to class, and ultimately, he was suspended from college.
“All Marcus wanted was a fist bump—not a handshake or hug, but an innocent fist bump.”
Fist Bump is a genuinely heartbreaking documentary. Farley wisely focuses on Marcus — a lovable gent who wants nothing more than to be your friend, which started with a fist bump. Marcus’ parents, extended family, friends, and even his campus escort all have nothing but kind words and are baffled by the accusations against him.
At the film’s heart is the struggle for fairness and due process in harassment cases. Somehow, the innocent are convicted in this world while the guilty go scot-free. In Marcus’s case, all it takes is one unsubstantiated complaint, and his college career is over. Because none of his accusers showed up to Marcus’ disciplinary hearing, he was unable to defend himself. As a result, an overzealous Title IX administrator lifted the suspension but censured him instead. The censure mase it almost impossible for Marcus to attend another college.
Over and over, the case is made that all Marcus wanted was a fist bump, not a handshake or hug, but an innocent fist bump. Though Marcus faces his circumstances with pride, it’s hard not to feel helpless for a gentle soul like him, burdened by the specter of something he didn’t do throughout his college career. Fist Bump makes the case that understanding and presumed innocence should always be the order of the day.
Fist Bump screened at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival.
"…understanding and presumed innocence should always be the order of the day."
