Produced for VRT
Oh, Baltimore!
Tens of thousands of homes in Baltimore are empty and boarded up. The police commissioner recently had to resign after tax fraud. A pack of cops in town are thoroughly corrupt and have been suspended and convicted.
Baltimore was in turmoil for days in April 2015 when police arrested Freddie Gray in impoverished West Baltimore. Gray died of his injuries a week later. Baltimore is also where Tyrone West suffocated and died in his arrest after a traffic stop. Baltimore: where east and west resemble a war zone and third world zone: drugs, gang violence, poverty and homelessness. 1 in 200 inhabitants has no roof over their head.
But on the rubble of this city, there is also hope. Little heroes that make the difference. Pamela Curtis who protects her children and her neighborhood from drugs. Police Commissioner Melvin Russell who, as a cop in the difficult neighborhoods, will listen and bring people together. Christina Flowers, who offers the homeless a home and a second chance. Tawanda Jones, who fights against police brutality. Kwame Rose, who makes the sharpest analysis - while rapping - of what it's like to be black in America. Slowly, excruciatingly slow, Baltimore is rising from the ashes.
Together with cameraman-director-producer Koen Soete, VRT NWS correspondent Björn Soenens made the documentary "Oh, Baltimore!"
- News Shooter / Video Journalist
- Documentary DP
- Video Editor - Documentary
