The Thousands

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, it’s easy to get sucked into gang violence and neighborhood disputes. Especially if you’re Ameena Matthews and your dad is legendary local ganglord Jeff Fort. After getting involved in drugs and violence between the ages of 9 and 15, Ameena saved herself by stopping the cycle when she refused to retaliate to a gunshot attack that left her hospitalised.

Directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams), The Interrupters documents a year in the life of Chicago’s ‘violence interrupters’, an innovative program that monitors local communities, intervening in escalating conflicts. The interrupters are all people like Ameena who have been there, done that, and moved on. ‘Moving on’ is the hard part. Ameena is the shining standout of Interrupters, an extremely smart, articulate, strong-willed woman who uses her street cred and personal experiences to negotiate disputes and browbeat undisciplined youths with potential. Watching her go toe-to-toe with gang members two feet taller is inspiring, and the effect she and the other interrupters have is palpable.

The stories herein are heartbreaking, senseless deaths and incredibly young perpetrators – it will have you in tears at least once (watch the trailer for a sample). But Interrupters also provides insight, into the ongoing disputes and their cultural context, thanks in particular to the program’s unique approach which treats violence as a disease (the infected are not evil, simply sick by association, and participating in learned behavior). The film drags in parts, but stick with it. As outsiders, this turmoil can leave you feeling helpless, but Interrupters provides some real hope.