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NORWALK, Conn. The causes and effects of inner city violence are highlighted in a documentary to be aired Tuesday night on PBS, and Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling thinks Norwalkers should watch.
"The Interrupters" will be shown at 9 p.m. on Frontline.
"There is a tremendous display of community advocacy and outreach by those most affected by this epidemic of violence in their neighborhoods," Rilling said in an e-mail to Norwalk Center, a Google group created by Norwalk 2.0. "I believe everyone should watch the presentation this evening. As I have stated, unless and until we have this type of involvement from each and every component of the community, we have little chance of stopping youth violence."
"The Interrupters" features "an intimate journey across the violent landscape of our cities through the eyes of those fighting to sow peace and security," according to the PBS website. The documentary focuses on a Chicago neighborhood and has won many film festival awards.
The film's website says that producer/director Steve James and author-turned-producer Alex Kotlowitz tell "the moving and surprising story of three 'violence interrupters' in Chicago who with bravado, humility and even humor try to protect their communities from the violence they once employed" in the movie.
"The organization Cease Fire has had remarkable results reducing inner city violence based on the founder's background in curbing epidemics," said Wendy Bromley Bodden in an e-mail to Norwalk Center. "This movie premiered at Sundance last year and was picked up by Frontline. It is a very interesting and well-made documentary by Hoop Dreams director, Steve James. Super inspiring."
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