In Following Harry filmmaker Susanne Rostock joins Harry Belafonte during the last twelve years of his life, as he embarks on a deeply personal and reflective journey, while mentoring an emerging group of artists and activists committed to following in his footsteps and disrupting injustice to implement impactful change.

The film is punctuated by a collection of provocative ruminations from Mr. B (as he is affectionately known by many), triggered by his observation that as a nation Americans are still struggling to embrace our diversity, which leaves us facing the stark reality that these are difficult times to recognize our common humanity. 

We are taken to the frontlines of events, witnessing never-before-seen private meetings of Harry with young artists and activists. The narrative weaves together lessons of those who helped shape Belafonte including Paul Robeson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, illuminating how Harry integrates these towering figures’ shared sense of morality into actionable lessons for today.  The film provides a window into both his public endeavors and private moments, capturing his journey from the aftermath of the death of Trayvon Martin, to his engagements in the protests in Ferguson, the Women’s March (which was created in his office), to the deep and profound conversations in his home about our present and future. 

Among those drawing on Harry’s guidance and taking action are Aloe Blacc, Aja Monet, Jesse Williams, Phillip Agnew, Jamie Foxx, Carmen Perez, Matt Post, Chuck D, Talib Kweli, Rosario Dawson, and others who summon their own strengths to meet complex social issues with compassion, and a fierce determination to stand for justice. They all draw inspiration from Harry’s experience and wisdom that their generation, with more talent, opportunity, and resources than any before them, must understand that they are "the gatekeepers of truth". 

The film is a passionate, powerful witness to Harry’s commitment to building a better and more empathetic world. It is also a story of aging, legacy, and taking responsibility for what one leaves behind.  Harry goes beyond stating that the past is doomed to be repeated by those who do not understand it, to ask: If we cannot position ourselves to see and translate history through our own present-day experience, then how can we envision the future that we are rushing so quickly to embrace? The film ultimately amplifies Harry’s belief that “each generation must be responsible for itself. All I can do is leave behind the crumbs of my experience. I have a trail that you can follow, if you find value in it, pick it up and if you don’t, bring something better.”