If there could be one word to describe this documentary it would be: "watch". This is a poignant call to action that not only showcases America's issues with racism that have formed our current criminal justice system, but highlights where to go from here. This is a must-watch and also a must-share. Solomon's choice of interviews cross the entire spectrum, and leave no stone unturned. I truly believe that there is so much useful information and so many important conversations in this documentary that you could take notes and still watch it twice. There are some moments that are hard to watch, truths that are hard to face, but they are necessary to continue to reeducate ourselves to change our collective future for the better.
9 Reviews
"Keeping the Peace?"
artscisarah2 March 2024
A vitally important documentary delving deeper into the role and function of police as "peace" keepers dedicated to upholding systems of oppression through state sanctioned violence. I was left wondering who is responsible for keeping the justice/freedom/liberation?
The film cuts through facile pablum about law and order to examine the violence enacted on police officers through their training and by police on duty.
Thoughtful analysis by leading critics of policing and useful guidance from activists "detasking" police from tasks better suited to professionals who can support people addicted to drugs, experiencing poverty, engaging in violence, and behaving dangerously.
Watch with your friends and imagine a freer, fairer, more liberated and lively world!
The film cuts through facile pablum about law and order to examine the violence enacted on police officers through their training and by police on duty.
Thoughtful analysis by leading critics of policing and useful guidance from activists "detasking" police from tasks better suited to professionals who can support people addicted to drugs, experiencing poverty, engaging in violence, and behaving dangerously.
Watch with your friends and imagine a freer, fairer, more liberated and lively world!
Compelling viewing
amandadutson4 April 2024
"Reimagining Safety," viewers are taken on an educational journey that challenges preconceived notions of safety and what we currently understand and know of policing. It is directed with finesse and creativity, the documentary adeptly translates Solomon's complex ideas into a compelling narrative, providing a unique experience that enlightens as much as it also poses questions.
The documentary strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend compelling interviews, with reenactments and captivating sequences. This multifaceted approach not only adds depth to the storytelling but also caters to a diverse audience. The use of real-life stories, interwoven with Solomon's questions, creates an engaging narrative that captures the essence of this big topic while bringing the concepts to life on the big screen.
It poses questions about the universality of safety concerns and the need for adaptable strategies in diverse contexts.
The commentators provide first hand experience and expert opinions. Their ability to convey the emotional depth of the stories shared in the documentary enhances the film's impact, making it more than just an intellectual exploration but a deeply human experience.
"Reimagining Safety" does not shy away from addressing challenging topics, as it delves into systemic issues and power structures that contribute to a lack of security. The film encourages viewers to confront these issues head-on, sparking important conversations about societal change and the role each individual plays in reshaping safety norms.
While the film successfully captures the essence of the book, there are moments where the complexity of ideas may be challenging for some viewers to fully grasp. However the personal narratives ensures that the film remains accessible to a broad audience by highlighting how these issues affect the every day lives of real humans.
I would have loved to have gone deeper on not just the complex issues but also the solutions to the issues presented. For example diverting calls away from police to trained medics, mental health practitioners and community is a brilliant idea in theory however understanding how this could look in real life scenarios when the complexities of call outs is often multifaceted.
The fall out from defunding the police has had significant negative ramifications on communities. Addressing the issue of anti police resentment skyrocketing in conjunction with police cuts, crime increasing and the resulting affected communities would have created a more well rounded picture.
In conclusion, the film adaptation of "Reimagining Safety" is a real tonic to a complex issue, offering a captivating exploration of safety that goes beyond traditional narratives. It is brilliantly directed, visually compelling, captivating storytelling and a call to action that resonates long after the credits roll. It is a must-watch for those seeking a fresh perspective on safety in the modern world.
The documentary strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend compelling interviews, with reenactments and captivating sequences. This multifaceted approach not only adds depth to the storytelling but also caters to a diverse audience. The use of real-life stories, interwoven with Solomon's questions, creates an engaging narrative that captures the essence of this big topic while bringing the concepts to life on the big screen.
It poses questions about the universality of safety concerns and the need for adaptable strategies in diverse contexts.
The commentators provide first hand experience and expert opinions. Their ability to convey the emotional depth of the stories shared in the documentary enhances the film's impact, making it more than just an intellectual exploration but a deeply human experience.
"Reimagining Safety" does not shy away from addressing challenging topics, as it delves into systemic issues and power structures that contribute to a lack of security. The film encourages viewers to confront these issues head-on, sparking important conversations about societal change and the role each individual plays in reshaping safety norms.
While the film successfully captures the essence of the book, there are moments where the complexity of ideas may be challenging for some viewers to fully grasp. However the personal narratives ensures that the film remains accessible to a broad audience by highlighting how these issues affect the every day lives of real humans.
I would have loved to have gone deeper on not just the complex issues but also the solutions to the issues presented. For example diverting calls away from police to trained medics, mental health practitioners and community is a brilliant idea in theory however understanding how this could look in real life scenarios when the complexities of call outs is often multifaceted.
The fall out from defunding the police has had significant negative ramifications on communities. Addressing the issue of anti police resentment skyrocketing in conjunction with police cuts, crime increasing and the resulting affected communities would have created a more well rounded picture.
In conclusion, the film adaptation of "Reimagining Safety" is a real tonic to a complex issue, offering a captivating exploration of safety that goes beyond traditional narratives. It is brilliantly directed, visually compelling, captivating storytelling and a call to action that resonates long after the credits roll. It is a must-watch for those seeking a fresh perspective on safety in the modern world.
The Dark side of America, offering an alternative view
rabiabashar8 March 2024
This documentary was impactful, poignant and thought provoking at the same time. For those who have a pulse on the events unfolding in American society today, they will be able to clearly see the illnesses that are taking hold in the America today. For decades, what plagues marginalized communities have been seen as a fringe issues, when marginalized communities are what make America what it is today. The culture and its beauty is created from these citizens of American society. The core rot in the society lies in the systems and its structures that try to suppress these communities. This documentary captures all sides perfectly revealing how despite it all, these communities find ways to survive and thrive. The insights offered throughout this documentary are invaluable and deeply insightful. If anyone wants to see a better society, one where community building and collective camaraderie are part of the core of the society, they must see this movie. I highly recommend it.
Defund, Detask, Divest
samintheory7 March 2024
Through compelling testimonies, "Reimagining Safety" boldly advocates for a paradigm shift, urging viewers to reconsider the role of law enforcement in our society. Particularly striking are the poignant narratives that shed light on the consequences of maintaining the current system.
This is a must-watch for those seeking a compelling exploration of what it means to actually defund the police. There are concrete steps we can take right now to make our communities safer.
I believe the questions posed to us as viewers about how well we know our neighbors and what else we can do to protect our communities from harm are especially relevant and necessary at this time.
This is a must-watch for those seeking a compelling exploration of what it means to actually defund the police. There are concrete steps we can take right now to make our communities safer.
I believe the questions posed to us as viewers about how well we know our neighbors and what else we can do to protect our communities from harm are especially relevant and necessary at this time.
A Must See for All Those Interested in Creating Safer Communities
rhaki-4844719 March 2024
This is an engaging exploration of the dynamics involved in creating safer communities. The interviews provide an excellent framing of contemporary conversations on defunding the police outside the spin that is so prevalent in media representations of the topic. The documentary provides complex and nuanced understandings of abolition. The insights offered allow viewers to imagine personal next steps as well as how to respond to misinformed critiques of abolition. You might want to add this to your watch list so you could come back to it again and again. I believe it will change your thinking on what abolition is and how we might get there.
Our justice system is broken
info-899928 March 2024
But we knew that. This film highlights some of the lesser known facts about the way the system is designed to fail our most vulnerable citizens. I'm glad I got to know where some of our elected officials stand on this issue so that it will be an easier choice to make, come election time. We as a nation need to get more involved as citizens and work towards a better system for all. Leaving it up to the politicians is not going to bring about the systemic change that our country desperately needs. The big takeaway for me is that we need to organize...more grassroots movements. We need to challenge the system at every level. Watching this film is one of the steps in politics literacy that should be a compulsory watch for all those yearning for change.
We can do better
kkstone-5431015 March 2024
This excellent documentary needs to be watched and then watched again. As said in other review, you will want to take notes, you will want to discuss it with your family, friends and coworkers. Soloman takes us through how we got here to this system of policing that is neither fair nor provides us with a safe society. Our present system is not working, and this documentary provides some very good insight on how to move us towards a better way. We are not safe now, but we could be. This film is thought provoking and inspiring. We must do the work to reinvent/remake a society that is safer for everyone.
A biased and shortsighted wasted of any activist's time.
Ronan_Shepherd17 April 2024
This film is simply profiteering in the wake of George Floyd's killing. It wastes your time with emotionally manipulative, racially charged, and ultimately divisive content that fails to address the widespread and indiscriminate reality of police abuse and corruption.
The film has a microscopic focus on racially motivated problems and invokes the memory of George Floyd. All while conveniently leaving out names like Linden Cameron, Hunter Brittain, Edward Bronstein, Zachary Hammond, Keith Vidal, Kelly Thomas, Ryan Bolinger, Tony Timpa, Duncan Lemp, Ryan Whitaker, or Daniel Shaver.
The "experts" are anything but, all you have to do is listen and laugh. They openly admit that "rehabilitative justice reform" will result in dangerous criminals getting out sooner and harming people. Multiple times throughout they include sex workers, drug users, and even drug dealers while talking about abuses faced by actual protected classes like Black people, indigenous people, people with disabilities, etc.
The ultimate conclusion of "prison abolition" and the idea of sending social workers out on police work is a pipe-dream, band-aid, non-solution that does nothing to address the street-level abuses on display in this very "documentary". Nor does it address the abject cowardice shown at Uvalde or frankly any other form of real police corruption.
Our laws need to be rewritten. From departmental guidelines everywhere, to state and federal law, to the precedents established in Warren v. District of Columbia, Deshaney v. Winnebago County, and Castle Rock v. Gonzalez.
Our police forces need to be completely rebuilt from top to bottom under those new guidelines. Everything discussed in this biased and racially motivated film is ultimately a misguided waste of time.
(Also worth noting the otherwise perfect 10s here and on RT. This film is being astroturfed.)
The film has a microscopic focus on racially motivated problems and invokes the memory of George Floyd. All while conveniently leaving out names like Linden Cameron, Hunter Brittain, Edward Bronstein, Zachary Hammond, Keith Vidal, Kelly Thomas, Ryan Bolinger, Tony Timpa, Duncan Lemp, Ryan Whitaker, or Daniel Shaver.
The "experts" are anything but, all you have to do is listen and laugh. They openly admit that "rehabilitative justice reform" will result in dangerous criminals getting out sooner and harming people. Multiple times throughout they include sex workers, drug users, and even drug dealers while talking about abuses faced by actual protected classes like Black people, indigenous people, people with disabilities, etc.
The ultimate conclusion of "prison abolition" and the idea of sending social workers out on police work is a pipe-dream, band-aid, non-solution that does nothing to address the street-level abuses on display in this very "documentary". Nor does it address the abject cowardice shown at Uvalde or frankly any other form of real police corruption.
Our laws need to be rewritten. From departmental guidelines everywhere, to state and federal law, to the precedents established in Warren v. District of Columbia, Deshaney v. Winnebago County, and Castle Rock v. Gonzalez.
Our police forces need to be completely rebuilt from top to bottom under those new guidelines. Everything discussed in this biased and racially motivated film is ultimately a misguided waste of time.
(Also worth noting the otherwise perfect 10s here and on RT. This film is being astroturfed.)
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