Interrupters Building Momentum, Buzz for Depiction of Anti-Violence Strategies in Chicago

By Steven Pate in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 15, 2011 9:00PM

We've been following the progress of anti-violence community response organization CeaseFire and their strategy of treating gun violence like a transmissible epidemic for years now. This summer, we're looking forward to seeing the story of the organization's "violence interrupters," who try and use their own street cred as former gang members to step into conflicts before they turn violent, on the big screen.

Following the path of three interrupters as they try and make a difference in the streets of Chicago, The Interrupters is the product of Hoop Dreams auteur Steve James' return to Chicago and collaboration with writer/Chicagoist fave Alex Kotlowitz. The documentary was produced by Chicago-based Kartemquin Films and just snagged an award at the Sheffield Doc/Fest. Together with its successful premiere at Sundance, as well as prizes at the Miami International Film Festival and the True/False Film Festival, the festival circuit has given the film some serious early Oscar buzz.

Expect to catch it in theaters in August, and next year on PBS Frontline. Every clip we've seen has been riveting, and that includes this trailer.