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I was listening to the radio and heard about the
Alliance of Concerned Men, a group of men that use their experience from the
streets and time in jail as a way to steer young men away from a life of crime.
I found it intriguing that a resume of jail-time and ‘thugging’ could possibly
lead to a net benefit in some capacity for society. I contacted them and asked
if I could film. The most difficult part was to gain the trust of the young
guys and the gang. CT3, in the neighborhood of Clay Terrace, a community racked
with violence. The young guys have a deep mistrust of anyone not from their
hood. But because I was brought in by the Alliance, the guys eventually let
down their abrasive fronts (I think meant to intimidate me) and became
extremely candid. I feel that as a documentary filmmaker, my ambition is to
tell stories that reach for a deep resonance and to touch on themes that
transcend time, while giving viewers texture in a 2D medium. I guess I hope that
viewers are able feel the story I’ve made…to become so engrossed that they
can’t help but understand.
