Can a Documentary Help End Gang Violence?
A documentary film made by residents of Watts, Los Angeles, using iPhones, tells the story of gang violence and community efforts to reclaim their streets. The film's production process brought together rival gang members, law enforcement, and affected families, leading to a dramatic decline in gang-related homicides.
Residents of Watts, Los Angeles, have created a documentary film, 'Nothing to See Here: Watts', to tell their story of gang violence and community efforts to reclaim their streets. The project began in December 2021 after a venture capitalist witnessed three gang shootings during a police ride-along. The filmmakers handed out 20 iPhones to residents, including gang members and law enforcement, to document their lives. Over three years, they created 200 hours of footage. The film's production process brought together rival gang members, law enforcement, and affected families, who shared ownership and creative control. After screening the finished film, gang-related homicides in the neighborhood declined dramatically. The documentary is a working playbook for how communities can reclaim their streets by telling their own stories.
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