By April MacIntyre Sep 1, 2009, 2:26 GMT
Sundance channel and Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, along with filmmakers Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin, bring the documentary series, "Brick City," to you on Monday, September 21st at 10:00pm et/pt - airing for five consecutive nights at 10:00pm et/pt.
US Actor Forest Whitaker. This doc series shines a spotlight on Newark's inner city's struggles and the resilient community leaders, civil servants and life-long residents committed to making Newark a model for urban renewal in America. EPA/PETER FOLEY
This doc series shines a spotlight on Newark's inner city's struggles and the resilient community leaders, civil servants and life-long residents committed to making Newark a model for urban renewal in America.
Marc Levin, who executive produced and directed the docu-series, commented: "Mark Benjamin and I were captivated by this city and Mayor Booker's charisma. I grew up near Newark and I can testify, change is real here. But change is hard. It's authentic human drama and that's what we wanted to capture. From the personal to the political, the stories were so compelling, we used to joke, 'We're going to put the real back in reality programming'."
According to Sundance, in the five one-hour episodes of "Brick City", the lives of Mayor Booker and Police Director Garry McCarthy intertwine with Jayda, Blood gang member turned youth mentor, who lives with her Crip boyfriend Creep, and other citizens on the front lines.
Newark is known as 'Brick City' for its architectural style, urban strength, and human resilience. Against great odds, Newark's citizens and its Mayor, Cory Booker, continue to fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption. Unprecedented access is given to filmmakers to both the powerful and the disenfranchised, as the doc series brings to life the challenges and adventures of social transformation.
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