All These Sons

All These Sons can be viewed as a supplement to Alex Kotlowitz's excellent book An American Summer. The windy city is known for its gun violence, a scourge that especially plagues the poorer South Side and West Side. Liu and Altman, however, look not at the rising death rates, but the people doing everything to get young people away from the thug life. They talk to the creators of programs and charities such as Green ReEntry or the MAAFA Redemption Project, which aim to reduce unemployment, educate and offer psychological care to young men for whom drugs are an escape from reality and weapons are the only way to resolve conflicts. But most of all, they give voice to those who were often the perpetrators and victims of crime, and are now looking for a way out of a hopeless situation. A poignant but hopeful film. 

Audience award nominated film. Please pick up a voting card on entering the screening and tear in a place marking your opinion and throw it into an assigned box after the screening (cards and boxes will be available at the theaters). The filmmakers have a chance of winning $5,000 sponsored by BNY Mellon, Poland.