Alex M.
San Francisco, CA, USA
Oakland has become one of the most dangerous cities in the United States and for many of its residents staying safe is a constant preoccupation. Victims of gun violence are overwhelmingly marginalized youth of color and their everyday actions are organized around dealing with real or potential danger. For Dante, one of Oaklands residents, that danger is very real. Flatlands is an intimate and moving story filmed over the course of six months in Dantes life. The film is a transformative documentary demonstrating the possibilities for change and challenges our understanding of violence on the streets. Flatlands highlights the role of racial and socio-economic structures at the center of gun violence in the United States. The documentary creates a dialogue, fostering critical consciousness, challenging the basic structures of our society and revealing the need for effective social action.
- Documentary DP