Occupy Documentary

Today I watched a documentary about the Occupy Chicago protests. The film was created by fellow protesters. I was hoping the film would dive into some of the deeper motives behind the protests, but the 20 minute film instead merely skimmed the surface of the issues.

Not sure if you can read the text. It basically says "Capitalism Sucks"

I am a supporter of the Occupy movement. Had I been alive during the 60's I would have supported all the protests that were happening then as well. I think protesting is a given right that should be exercised frequently. To not protest means there's nothing that could be improved, reformed, or left to discuss as a country. I support the rights of all protesters, even Westboro Church and the Tea Party Movement. As Voltaire once said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to your death the right to say it."

But I take issue with those who only protest. Protesting, though a good starting point, will rarely create enough of the change needed to make a difference. Protesting is the ignition- the spark that can get bigger, more sustainable actions underway. It's biggest functions are to: 1. highlight a problem. 2. Address it. 3. Inform others. 4. Prove that no one is alone in opposing it. 5. Rally around a common solution.

That's where I take issue with this documentary. It's supposed to be an official product of the Occupy movement, but it barely dives into the real problems that Occupy should be addressing. It shows footage of the thousand-strong crowds, of the the police barricades and the clashes that ensue. But there's little time spent on the big, looming question: what comes after the protests? Where do we go from here?

Maybe I'm not the intended audience. I am already on board, and sympathetic to the cause. Maybe this is more for the fence sitters who are still believing the outdated stereotypes about the kinds of people who protest. But eventually enough of the population will start to favor the cause, and will want to know that there are steps in place to take us off the streets and into the next phase, whatever that might be.

Overall the documentary is fine for what it is, but I am still looking for more.

You can watch it on Vimeo here.

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Day 48: The Interrupters

Saturday, Feb. 18th.

Today's doc. was filmed in Chicago. I get a strange sense of satisfaction living in a city that appears so often in pop culture. I remember seeing 'Contagion' in theaters and getting a momentary thrill when part of the story took place just a few blocks from where I used to work. 

But that's not what makes this doc good. In the usual PBS style, it's the hard hitting, emotional look into lives of danger and hardship that makes it worth my time. This is easily in the top 5 of the year so far. 

The film follows members of the non-profit CeaseFire, a group of ex-gang members determined to end gang violence before it starts. We watch them mediate with active gang members of Chicago for a full year, from the blistering heat of the summer to the blistering cold of the winter. Within that year they focus on the stories of 3 or 4 main kids as they learn to deal with confrontation in non-violent ways. 

What I learned: How bad the gang problem is in Chicago. I figured it was bad, but man, it's real bad. They tell many, many stories about the effect gang violence has had on South Chicago: kids shot and stabbed, put in jail, permanently crippled, and even killed. The worst is the stories of innocent bystanders caught in the middle of gangfights; young kids shot or run over because of a confrontation. There are some heart-wrenching interviews with parents who lost their kids this way. 

What I liked: The CeaseFire people are heroes, no doubt about it. I'm amazed at their ability to talk to kids about solving problems nonviolently without sounding cliched and old-fashioned. Maybe it's because most of them come from the same backgrounds as these kids, so they are able to directly relate to them. 

The hero of the film is definitely Ameena Matthews, ex-gang member and daughter of famous Chicago gang leader Jeff Fort. Ameena has an amazing presence; from the moment she shows up onscreen she steals the show. She's able to be both mentor and friend to the troubled teens, calling them out on their actions one minute and cracking jokes with them the next. And I was almost in tears after her amazing eulogy at a young boy's funeral who was killed by neighborhood violence. 

Ameena Mathews: badass

What I didn't like: I would have liked to hear more about what I could do to help. I'm in the city, for pete's sake. I'm not naive enough to think I could go down to the South Side and take part in some "Real Talk" with these gang members. I'd get shot, or slapped at the very least. But after watching this I feel a need to get involved, but I'm not sure how.  

A good documentary should be shocking; it should take you out of your element and your comfort zone. It should stay with you the rest of the day. And, even if it's sad, it should provide enough hope to keep you from becoming pessimistic. This film did all of that. Go watch it, right now. 

It can be found on PBS Frontline:

Fronline: Interrupters

Here's an awesome review from Slate, where they call it "the most necessary film of the year":

Slate's Review of 'The Interrupters'

Finally, here's Ameena on The Colbert Report. Even when discussing something this serious she can still maintain a sense of humor and a joyful disposition. Amazing.

Colbert Report Interview

And here's the trailer: