Chi Raq documentary (Chicago, Atlanta: health insurance, employment, neighborhoods)

[emathias]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Very mixed feelings.

Once upon a time documentaries were done almost exclusively by folks with sort of dry sensibilities that had ties to / aspirations for academic type jobs. The big turning point was probably Roger and Me. Soon after it was released it stirred some controversy. Back when Roger Ebert was still active in trying to help people understand the layers of filmmaking I think he did good a job talking about the challenge of "hard core" film people and folks like Michael Moore -- Attacks on 'Roger & Me' completely miss point of film | Roger Ebert's Journal | Roger Ebert

If you want a "Ken Burns" type fact heavy synopis of the problems of violent gangs in Chicago I doubt anyone would watch it / fund it.

I don't have a problem with Michael Moore or his films, per se, but I do have a problem with calling them "documentaries." They are, and always have been, advocacy pieces. There's nothing wrong with advocacy films, in fact they're an important part of the democratic process, but they shouldn't be held up as documentaries, which should make an attempt to be fact-based - to "document" what is happening, instead of advocating for some different result. Advocacy films are common enough now that they really ought to become a new category of film, just so people don't confused facts with "facts."

[thefallensrvnge]

I never really know how to feel about films like this.

On one hand, I admire that the creator wants to understand a part of an interesting city like Chicago, and give attention to an aspect, a very troubling aspect, of the city. But what bothers me is the film is nothing more than a short collection of interviews shot in an artsy black and white composition. That's it. No attempt to understand the problem from its roots. No inclusion from individuals in the community trying to offer solutions. Worse, the whole thing is thrown together and labeled Chi Raq. In a way, it encourages the watcher not care, because they feel as though the city is beyond hope. What they're left with is the notion that Chicago is a violent hellhole. It breeds disinterest.

Even from the interview, it seems as though Scott has a poor understanding of his subject, and it reflects in the film.

[chicagogeorge]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

Probably paid for by some right wing twits trying to make Obama look bad.

Have you seen his foreign policy blunders as of late? Obama is doing a good enough job making himself look bad.....



Btw,


53 murders, 224 shot in August.... Chiraq.

[oakparkdude]

Nice commentary from the guy who brought us this (https://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...90-2011-a.html)

Homicide Awareness! | City Notes

[oakparkdude]

Also from the same blog: Dept. of Far-Fetched Policy Comparisons | City Notes

Fascinating how the graph of Google Trends search on "Chicago most dangerous" shows a sudden spike in January 2008.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Fascinating how the graph of Google Trends search on "Chicago most dangerous" shows a sudden spike in January 2008.

Well, maybe it's a positive thing if it keeps the idiots away from our city. New York had perhaps the worst popular press of all time through the 70s and 80s, and it rebounded on the backs of people who were previously cast out as "too ethnic", "old school", gay, or weird. We don't exactly need a lot of people moving here from Dallas or Atlanta to turn things around, and we may be better off without them.

[hjt123]

what's the narrative? it just seems like a series of bleak 2 minute interviews that all cover the same thing

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Well, maybe it's a positive thing if it keeps the idiots away from our city.

That's the way I'm increasingly looking at it, too. If you're drinking the right-wing propaganda Kool-Aid and can't be bothered to look up the actual data in the internet age, I'm happy to have you far away from me and my city. I don't want to catch the stupid.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Right on, my feelings exactly. Yes, the people interviewed are often delusional, but, the fact *they believe* there is no alternative is what drives reality for far too many people. Sad.

Bingo.

These communities need jobs that pay living wages, schools that are filled with staff who care about the students and the futures of those students, grocery stores within a reasonable distance for the relatives, etc.

These communities have been systematically disinvested, and yet they're expecting to be all well and good? Ha.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Also from the same blog: Dept. of Far-Fetched Policy Comparisons | City Notes

Fascinating how the graph of Google Trends search on "Chicago most dangerous" shows a sudden spike in January 2008.

Amazing