Policing Justice Film Series
This series of film screenings at Clinton Street Theater is part of Policing Justice, which is on view at PICA from February 23 – May 19, 2024.
Reimagining Safety (2023)
Directed and Written by: Matthew Solomon
Featuring: Jody David Armour, Nikki Blak, Sennett Devermont
US, 1 hour 23 minutes, 2023
Q&A with directors Matthew Solomon and Cory Elia, moderated by Alex Vitale following the screening.
Taking as its premise that policing is not the only solution to all of society’s challenges, "Reimagining Safety" features wide-ranging, one-on-one interviews with some of the leading voices on the topic, including Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon; University of Southern California Law Professor Dr. Jody Armour; Mount Saint Vincent University Women’s Studies Professor Dr. El Jones, Sociology Professor and author of “The End of Policing” Alex Vitale; feminist and abolitionist Nikki Blak; and Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, among others.
Among the questions posed by the documentary are: is policing really the best answer to problems that occur in many neighborhoods? What can be done to address conflicts that arise from mental health crises? What is the best training or background for those whose job it is to defuse conflicts of various sorts? "Reimagining Safety" reimagines the goal of public safety by acknowledging what isn’t working and then offering humane and equitable alternatives.
Interviews include:
Dr. Jody Armour - The Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law at the University of Southern California
Nikki Blak - Sociologist, anti-racism educator, and Inglewood born and raised
Sennett Devermont - "Mr. Checkpoint," police auditor and founder of the AFTP Foundation
George Gascón - Los Angeles County District Attorney
Jose Gutierrez - Licensed social worker, therapist, and Restorative Justice practitioner
Dr. El Jones - Professor and co-author of "Defunding the Police - Planning the Way Forward for the HRM"
Hadiya Kennedy - Former detective, The Los Angeles Police Department
Hawk Newsome - Co-founder of Black Lives Matter NY and Black Opportunities
Gina Viola - former LA Mayoral candidate who ran on an abolition platform
Alex S Vitale - Professor, law enforcement expert, and author of "End of Policing"
Short: Is Portland Dying? (2024)
Directed by: All Cameras Are Busy and Cory Elia
Featuring: Mac Smiff, Bruce Poinsette, and Kaia Sand
US, 32 minutes, 2024
Is Portland Dying? is a series of documentary shorts by local independent journalist Cory Elia. The screening of episode two, "Policing and the Alternatives", explores the current state of Portland, focusing on the media and the impact its rhetoric has on our understanding of the city and its culture. The episode features interviews with local writer Mac Smiff, journalist Bruce Poinsette, and Executive Director of Street Roots Kaia Sand.
Interviews include:
Mac Smiff - Portland writer, hip-hop organizer, and activist
Bruce Poinsette - Multimedia journalist and editor
Kaia Sand - Executive Director of Street Roots