News, Festival Selections and Screenings of THE SWEETEST LAND – A documentary on violence, prevention and politics, where complacency can no longer be an option – Jeff Teitler – Director
After a long hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to announce, THE SWEETEST LAND has been selected to screen by Saint Louis Children’s Hospital w as part of their 2021 Pediatric Trauma Symposium.
With an up-tick in violent crime across the country, along with the film’s critical focus on violence prevention, we are honored and pleased the film is being utilized exactly as it was intended – to educate and save lives. On behalf of the cast and crew of THE SWEETEST LAND, we would like to thank Lydia Wood, Lori Beck and Saint Louis Children’s Hospital, for their amazing efforts in improving violence prevention and championing the film’s Saint Louis screening.
THE SWEETEST LAND – SYNOPSIS:
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
The IndieFEST Film Awards, recognized by IMDB and a top 100 reviewed film festival on Film Freeway, has awarded THE SWEETEST LAND a Humanitarian Award of Distinction. Each year IndieFEST bestows Humanitarian Awards to deserving filmmakers who are committed to making a difference through impactful filmmaking that highlights a critical need of our time while demonstrating exceptional filmmaking skill.
This Humanitarian Award honors filmmakers who bring awareness to issues of Ecological, Political, Social Justice, Health and Wellness, combined with outstanding production techniques.
This is not an award that can be submitted for. Rather, selections are hand picked by the staff and judges from films received throughout the year.
On behalf of the cast and crew of THE SWEETEST LAND, we are honored for the recognition and thank the IndieFest Film Awards. We remain committed to advocacy efforts which focus on the highest quality, evidence-based prevention programs and strategies for youth and families in-need. Violence is preventable.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are honored to announce the SAN DIEGO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL has selected THE SWEETEST LAND. Founded in 2002, the San Diego Black Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest black film festivals in the country. THE SWEETEST LAND will screen on Saturday Feb 1st. For tickets and additional information CLICK HERE
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are pleased to announce THE SWEETEST LAND has won a prestigious Award of Merit Special Mention in SOCIAL JUSTICE from the IndieFEST Film Awards.
The IndieFEST Film Awards, recognized by IMDB, awards film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry.
We are also pleased to announce a BRONZE award from the LATITUDE FILM AWARDS – LONDON as well as a SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD at the 2019 (IN)JUSTICE FOR ALL FILM FESTIVAL.
On behalf of the cast and crew of THE SWEETEST LAND, we are thrilled the message is getting out, that improvement in victims care and violence prevention remains possible and that lives can matter. With that, we are pleased to release a HOLIDAY MESSAGE from THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
THE SWEETEST LAND will receive its Chicago Premiere at theINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL, followed by a Q&A, Saturday, September 28th at the DU SABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, Chicago, IL
The International Social Change Film Festival is a celebration of our common humanity through film, music, art & fashion. The Festival is committed to liberation and amplification of community voice, social justice and change.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
When you spend nights and weekends in one of New England’s most violent cities, you realize how little you know and how much can be revealed.
For years, I focused my camera on Connecticut’s capital city of Hartford. I was embedded with police, clergy, community organizations, emergency personnel and victims of violence. That footage is now part of “The Sweetest Land,” a documentary film playing at select festivals nationwide.
Beyond the inequities of how urban and suburban violence are treated, we have a clear ability to improve lives where violence most occurs — and at no additional cost.
In the emergency room, there are days when multiple gunshots victims arrive. Yet uncontrollable bleeding is immediately met with life-saving efforts. Instantly, a quiet space transforms as highly skilled individuals urgently apply the best-known protocols to heal. The trauma room is a sacred space: It mandates equality. Race, gender, economic status and political affiliation are of no concern. Instead, evidence-based procedures are applied regardless of who shows up.
That is what systems can accomplish when the best available practice is required. But what is actually being done to prevent these injuries in the first place?
We spend millions of dollars without knowing whether youth violence programs even work. This was from the U.S. surgeon general in 2001:
“Hundreds of youth violence prevention programs are being used in schools and communities throughout the country, yet little is known about the actual effects of many of them. Few such programs have been rigorously evaluated, including many ongoing efforts. The evaluations that have been done indicate that much of the money America spends on youth violence prevention is spent on ineffective — sometimes even harmful — programs and policies.”
Blueprints, part of the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has found tested, effective programs that work when implemented fully and faithfully, not in halfway measures.
To be fair, there are extraordinary individuals and organizations in prevention and victims’ services who clearly improve the lives they serve.
However, the research shows that most organizations cannot prove efficacy or consistency within their methods when a rigorous evaluation is applied. That means potentially unproven methods or harmful interventions in prevention and victims care are being practiced on youths and families most in need of competency.
We can do better.
When prevention works, it is no different from the life-changing moments in a trauma room. When you meet the humans whom violence prevention has failed, you gain an instant understanding of how important standards of care are, using the best methods with qualified prevention providers and rigorous evaluation. It is what we pay for.
Yet we rarely demand outside audits on prevention programs. CNN found that $54 million was entirely misspent on Chicago’s violence prevention efforts. The cracks grow wider as well-intentioned organizations and individuals serve as therapist, social worker, life coach, etc., but potentially lack the educational credentials or proven methods to produce change.
Connecticut’s lawmakers should demand proven standards of care for violence-prevention services in cities, as well as credentialed providers and evidence-based methods. They should verify that the services offered are actually being offered. They should not accept program “skimming,” accepting only youths, victims and families who have the best chances of success, rather than those most at risk of violence.
For “The Sweetest Land,” we traveled from Georgia to Boston. We heard similar stories time after time. Struggling families didn’t get help. Hartford has a few new programs in place to connect with victims of violence and their families. The question is whether they are preventing further violence. The city needs a qualified and independent inspector general to make sure those programs are getting properly evaluated.
Keep in mind that when violence strikes an urban area, normally a nation does not mourn with the victims’ families as it does those of mass shootings. Rarely are outpourings of funds established to meet urban family needs. In the too many deaths I have filmed, the hardships are overwhelming.
This disconnect existed with every victim of violence I captured.
We applaud that violence statistics are down in Connecticut overall, and that fewer people are incarcerated. These are major accomplishments. But make no mistake, violence persists.
It is preventable and it is actionable. And to any elected official and legislator, if you can guarantee that our best efforts are implemented and working — as if it were your child at-risk — you too would represent “The Sweetest Land.“
Jeffrey B. Teitler is a professor of Communication at Central Connecticut State University and artist in residence at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OFFICIAL SELECTIONS – THE SWEETEST LAND
We are so pleased to announce upcoming screenings of THE SWEETEST LAND at multiple film festivals in Saint Lous, Austin and Miami. Special thanks to the Capital City Black Film Festival, Urban Film Festival, CommUNITY Arts Festival.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
THE SWEETEST LAND will receive its West Coast / Los Angeles Premiere at the AWARENESS FILM FESTIVAL, followed by a Q&A, Thursday, October 10th, 5:30-7:00 PM, LA Live Regal Cinemas, 1000 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The Awareness Film Festival seeks to inform and inspire audiences through a program of films on Ecological, Political, Health/Well Being and Spiritual topics. AFF focus is to spotlight film-makers committed to making positive change throughout the world.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are so pleased to announce that THE SWEETEST LAND has won Best Documentary Feature in the Los Angeles Film Award’s February Selection and is nominated as the Best Documentary for 2019.
The LA Film Awards received 400+ five-star reviews on FilmFreeway, out of over 8,000 film festivals.LAFA’s Jury awards the best films through private screenings Best Picture awards.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
I would not presume to think that I can understand the experience of urban residents whose cities are under siege from chronic gun violence. But I do know now what it’s like to live in a town that is reeling from loss, acute pain and the grief that follows. Since my eyes have been opened by the Sandy Hook tragedy, I have come to realize that urban communities deserve all of the help, support and compassion that Newtown has been so grateful and comforted to receive. And I see enormous potential in our ability to unite in a common effort to save lives.
Ever since I first saw a rough cut of the gripping and inspiring documentary The Sweetest Land, I’ve given my whole-hearted support to the meaning behind the story, captured in poignant relief by filmmaker Jeffrey Teitler. This film shows the escalation of gun violence on the streets of Hartford and the devastating impact on the city’s residents, especially its youth population. Jeffrey’s camera follows gun violence victims and their families from trauma to recovery. We see those who are dedicated to addressing the violence, and are sadly surprised by those who are not. We are reminded that tragically, these problems exist in urban communities nationwide.
But this is preventable. Proven prevention strategies have been identified that can stem these losses and provide critical support to families and young people. There is a vital need for these types of programs, based in public health and science, to be brought out of the dark and applied to communities where they are needed the most. The time has come to replace feel-good efforts with strategies that actually enable youth to succeed, and provide them with road maps that lead them away from violence.
Every day we wait, the bloodshed on the streets continues. It is real. It robs families of their loved ones, young people of their potential and the city of a little bit of its spirit every time another life falls.
There will be several months before The Sweetest Land is completed and ready to be released. In that time, what kind of movement is possible? What kind of infrastructure, comprised of influential leaders, celebrities, citizens and affected families can stand with this story, and unite communities across the country?
I believe that we can create a human connection between suburban and urban communities. I believe we can unite republicans and democrats in a cause that isn’t just about guns. And I believe that a first lady, a rural town and an urban community can lead the rest of the country in a movement. Together, we can bring about change and begin to save lives almost immediately. All of which will bring us closer to our potential as a country of equal promise and opportunity, the inspiration for the film’s title The Sweetest Land.
Sometimes a story, with the right people standing behind it, can change everything.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are pleased to announce that the Fort Worth Independent Film Showcase has awarded The Sweetest Land a Best Documentary Feature, within the out-of-state film genre.
On behalf of THE SWEETEST LAND’s cast and crew, thank you to the Fort Worth Independent Film Showcase for recognizing the often overlooked survivors of inner city violence, the first responders, medics and our immediate need to improve conditions for all.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
This week THE SWEETEST LAND was honored to receive the endorsement of CT Against Gun Violence. Lobbying in Connecticut for over 25 years, CAGV focuses on the reduction of gun violence through education, coalition building and legislative action.
For many years we have been looking for a film that speaks to diverse communities, advocates and supporters of gun violence prevention alike, and that accurately portrays the sad truth of gun violence in Connecticut, specifically the violence that occurs in urban communities. The Sweetest land is just the film we have been looking for.
The Sweetest Land does a brilliant job of exposing the plaque of gun violence that has become a public health crisis in the United States. While there are many films out there that try to show the long-term devastation that gun violence has caused, this film accurately captures the reality that many of America’s cities face every day.
While suburban gun violence has gotten much of the attention in the media, this important film refocuses our attention and exposes decades long urban gun violence that exists in cities like Hartford, CT. THE SWEETEST LAND does an excellent job humanizing this problem and allows us to get closer to the families and survivors of gun violence. After seeing this film, people will be compelled to want to find common sense solutions to this senseless violence.
CT Against Gun Violence is proud to endorse the Sweetest Land.
Jeremy Stein – Executive Director – CT Against Gun Violence
Thank you CAGV for standing with THE SWEETEST LAND’s urban victims and families. According to the CDC, violence is preventable…but only if cities and states implement methods based in the best available evidence. A recent national study revealed that only 5% of such violence prevention organizations could prove their methods were effective at reducing violence. That number must be improved. Lives can matter.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are pleased to announce THE SWEETEST LAND is an OFFICIAL SELECTION within the FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT FILM SHOWCASE. The film will be featured this July 26, 2019 in Fort Worth, TX . FWIFS is a top 100 best reviewed festivals on Film Freeway. LIVES CAN MATTER.
Stay tuned for upcoming screenings and additional awards. Violence is preventable. Lives must matter!
THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
THE SWEETEST LAND is a selected finalist in the Davinci Film Awards. DaVinci International Film Festival (DIFF) is a premier boutique awards platform celebrating independent cinema worldwide. DIFF’s Vitruvian Awards are hosted in Los Angeles, CA. In 2022, the DaVinci Film Institute — the organization’s NGO arm — will honor Creatives across multiple arts & sciences disciplines with a satellite awards ceremony in Washington DC.
Stay tuned for upcoming screenings and additional awards. Violence is preventable. Lives must matter!
THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are pleased to announce THE SWEETEST LAND wins an OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE AWARD within SOCIAL ISSUES from DOCS WITHOUT BORDERS FILM FESTIVAL
DOCS WITHOUT BORDERS is a FilmFreeway “gold rated” online film festival with affiliations to the Universal Film & Festival Organization. The festival focuses exclusively on documentary filmmakers and distribution efforts.
THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
In 2017, nearly 40,000 people died from gun violence in the U.S. according to the CDC.
Aswad Thomas is a survivor. A victim of a Hartford shooting outside a convenience store in 2009. He is also one of the people featured in the documentary The Sweetest Land, which looks at the epidemic of gun violence in the city of Hartford.
This hour, Thomas joins us along with the documentary’s director. What steps can local policymakers and public health take to effectively address gun violence? We take a closer look and we want to hear from you.
Jeff Teitler – Director of The Sweetest Land and Professor of Communication at Central Connecticut State University
Aswad Thomas – Survivor of a Hartford shooting in 2009; Managing Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, a national network that aims to bring crime survivors into policy conversations about crime and justice (@Aswad_T)
Luke Bronin – Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut (@MayorBronin)
Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
Whether you live in New York City or Roswell New Mexico, gun violence has become a nationwide epidemic. Through extensive research and lengthy persistence, Jeffrey Teitler examines an often overlooked side of this issue; prevention. We talked with the director/professor about process and the lessons he learned while making this film.
LOWER EAST SIDE FILM FESTIVAL: YOUR FILM FEELS LIKE A NEW TAKE ON A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE IN OUR SOCIETY, WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO MAKE THIS FILM?
Jeffrey Teitler: Living in Connecticut, few would deny the devastating toll that a gun or knife can have. Exploring this, for years I spent nights and weekends in one of America’s most violent cities. Quickly realizing how much there was to learn, an entirely different story and unlikely findings emerged.
Hartford is Connecticut’s Capitol City, a location where gun violence prevention remains a hot topic. But within the inner city, finding any social service organizations or violence prevention initiatives, which offered substantial opportunities for those most at-risk or in-need, became difficult. Moreover, as urban victims of violence and families were consistently abandoned from mental health services, job training and life skills, it begged the question, who is good…and what do we stand for?
LESFF: YOU HAVE AMAZING ACCESS TO YOUR CHARACTERS IN THE FILM. HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT GAINING THIS ACCESS?
JT: Thank you! Persistence was the key. We began slow with one reverend, whose work focused on victims of violence. As I was gathering a mass of images and stories, it grew into something that inspired other organizations…but none of it came easy. We were rejected regularly. Wanting multiple perspectives, as I was filming on one story, my colleagues and producers, Dr. Serafin Mendez-Mendez and Ron Kowalczyk, were gaining access to others.
During the process, I met many extraordinary people – most during their worst of times. On the other hand, there were days when multiple gunshots victims arrived in the emergency room and instantly you see great changes. Uncontrollable bleeding is met with the best, life-saving efforts. In a moment, a space transforms as a mass of highly skilled, extensively trained individuals rush to save a life. That is a powerful reality of what our system can accomplish.
LESFF:WERE THERE ANY SURPRISES THAT CAME UP WHILE MAKING THIS FILM?
JT: Lesson 1: Abandon preconceived notions. Surprises occurred all the time… While filming at the trauma center, I thought gaining the trust of gunshot victims and their families would be challenging. The notion of requesting permission was extraordinarily humbling. But my assumptions were wrong. Over 90% of the victims I filmed (and there were many) not only signed on, but were glad filming was occurring. They gave revealing and private glimpses into their families, vulnerable moments, treatment and humanity. Instant bonds occurred ripping through stereotypes and forming meaningful relationships. They still last today.
LESSON 2: RISK: Frustrated with the lack of mental health counselors, victims’ services, prevention providers, etc., I wrote the CDC’s Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Understanding that local NGO’s were not returning my calls, surely the director of a major federal public health institute would be just as absent. Yet, within a week, I received a message from Dr. Linda DeGutis, (the CDC’s director). DeGutis was not only fully engaged, but she also invited a test screening of the film at the CDC. There are good and responsive people working in prevention.
LESSON 3: HOPE. After years of filming, my hard-drives were filled with live shootouts, murders and a mass of preventable urban pain. The weight of developing something meaningful from this was ever-present. As a small micro production, I edited for many years and the task of telling a story which is actionable and meaningful was daunting. To help with feedback, we privately tested the film at a number of institutes. Yet, it was during one test-screening, where I observed a film participant, (a victim of gun violence who nearly died years ago), end up speaking with the film at the most prestigious law school in the land, (Harvard). It revealed the power of a story.
LESFF:THE RESEARCH REALLY SHOWS IN THIS FILM. HOW LONG WAS THE RESEARCH PROCESS FOR YOUR FILM?
JT: Recognizing lacking prevention methods and absent victims’ services by social service organizations, was not something I anticipated seeing. In fact, it wasn’t a story I wanted to tell. Perhaps it was just a few complacent leaders or prevention initiatives gone wrong. I tried many times to dismiss the anecdotal evidence, which kept repeating itself. But when you see a youth or good family in-need, ignored by services, which can make all the difference in their futures, it gets to you. I started research with small searches on prevention and found a CNN report about the City of Chicago, which spent (or misspent) 55 million dollars on random violence prevention initiatives as the murder rate continued. Additional searches revealed that some well-funded, nationally known violence prevention initiatives, increased rates of violence, but who is watching? That’s when I saw the Blue Prints study, which placed much of what I saw in perspective. That research also inspired our connections with leading prevention scientists, such as Dr. DeGutis, who is now the film’s official advisor.
Looking back, there are so many ways to tell the story of urban violence. However, I don’t know of any current story that focuses on this issue of prevention. Telling that story, based in the best available evidence, our hope is to inspire conversations, which can save lives and improve policies. We are so honored to have been selected within the Lower East Side Film Festival.
Article by Josh Greenwood
YOU CAN SEE THE SWEETEST LAND ON MONDAY JUNE 10TH, 7:30 PM AT VILLAGE EAST CINEMA!
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
We are so pleased and honored to announce that THE SWEETEST LAND has been selected to screen, on June 10th, 2019 within the Lower East Side Film Festival. NYC.
The Lower East Side Film Festival (LESFF) features the innovative work of creative, up-and-coming filmmakers, and showcases those films in the heart of New York City’s Lower East Side. Past Lower East Side Film Festival judges and talent have included Ethan Hawke, Susan Sarandon, Willem Dafoe, Denis O’Hare, Laverne Cox, Rosario Dawson, Rami Malek, Parker Posey, Ilana Glazer, Dolly Parton, Indya Moore, Samantha Bee, Dana Brunetti, Natasha Lyonne, Marky Ramone, Rebecca Miller, Sasheer Zamata, Judah Friedlander, Lizzy Caplan, Amy Arbus, Justin Bond, Nick Kroll, Eliza Dushku, and many, many more.
On behalf of the cast and crew of The Sweetest Land, we would like to the Lower East Side Film Festival for the recognition and desire to bring a new conversation to NYC.
THE SWEETEST LAND
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
In 2009, Aswad Thomas was a college grad and was looking forward to a career playing basketball in Europe. That didn’t happen. On Aug. 24, Thomas was shot on Albany Avenue in Hartford while leaving a convenience store.
Thomas survived and walked again, but his life changed forever. Instead of sports fame, Thomas got a master’s degree in social work from UConn and is now managing director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
Thomas is one of the community members, first responders, social workers and health workers featured in “The Sweetest Land,” a film about street violence in Hartford. The movie is having its Connecticut premiere on May 30 at the New Haven Documentary Film Festival (NHDocs).
“I want my story to be told. Being released from the hospital back into the same community where the incident happened was a very traumatic experience. There was no follow-up,” Thomas said in a phone interview. “There should have been opportunities to connect myself and my family to counseling, housing relocation. That’s the least you can do.”
The documentary was made — starting about 10 years ago — by Jeffrey Teitler, a filmmaking professor at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Teitler also is an artist in residence at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, a position he took to facilitate the filmmaking process.
The premise of the documentary is that Thomas’ experience is common for victims of violence in Hartford and that most organizations dedicated to violence prevention and victim services aren’t succeeding.
“Every patient comes [to Saint Francis] on death’s door. A mass of trained, skilled people are urgently helping this patient. All their resources go into this individual and family,” Teitler said in an interview at Saint Francis. “Then you follow the family out of the hospital and there is absolute abandonment.
“Organizations that are supposed to be helping them have awards ceremonies and accolades, but on an anecdotal level, I couldn’t find anything of value there,” he said. “The conversation of prevention has not occurred in the way it needs to have occurred. There needs to be a standard of care.”
Teitler cited statistics from a “Blueprints for Violence Prevention” national study that estimated that the effectiveness rate for violence-prevention and victim-services projects nationwide at 5 percent.
That study, developed by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado–Boulder, rigorously studies the effectiveness of programs geared toward curbing youth violence and delinquency, with the goal of developing evidence-based models for effective programs.
In citing that statistic, Teitler emphasized that the problems with program effectiveness in Hartford are mirrored nationwide.
“In the event of a death [at Saint Francis], there is a rigorous investigation. If you ask a nonprofit for an evaluation of that loss, what interventions had been done, there’s no info. How is that possible?” he said. “These disconnected organizations somehow are missing the target. Some of these organizations can’t articulate the methods they use.”
Teitler filmed much of “The Sweetest Land” in Saint Francis’ trauma room with the hospital’s consent. (Warning: The footage is graphic and disturbing.) All gunshot victims who appear in the film gave Teitler permission to use the footage of them after Teitler had filmed it. Teitler pointed out that Saint Francis is now part of Trinity Health, whose protocols severely limit filming in the ER and trauma rooms. “I no longer film in the trauma room,” Teitler said.
Community members
The movie also features St. Francis staffers David Shapiro, Schuester Christie, William Marshall and Colleen Desai; Hartford PD staffers Mack Hawkins, Karla Rodriguez, Richie Medina and Billy Rivera; radio personality Brad Davis; pastors Henry Brown and James Lane; violence prevention workers Warren Hardy, Kevin Borrup, Sereyana Wallace, Althea Webber, Thomas Phillips and Enid Rey; and community members including Justin Bonilla, Jasemine Cicero, Davonne Biggins, Luis Torres, Betsy Torres and September Chatfield.
In 2015, the Hartford Courant’s Opinion Department participated in a joint partnership with Teitler as part of “The Sweetest Land” project to generate essays, op-eds and other content focused on the theme of urban violence prevention.
Hardy, a former Hartford gang member, founded HYPE (Helping Young People Evolve) and is outreach coordinator for Compass Youth Collaborative’s Peacebuilders, both based in Hartford. The groups work with at-risk youths — victims and perpetrators — to help them transition back into school or jobs.
“We teach coping, principles, morals. We help with their needs. I see it from perspective of one of the youths who deals with all the trauma and violence every day,” Hardy said in an interview. “After countless hours of engagement, you see a glimmer of hope. Someone gets a diploma. Somebody leaves the game.”
In an interview, Hardy said many organizations get funding to help at-risk communities but the money often doesn’t get to the people in those communities.
“It goes to the highest level of the organization. Some of it trickles down. The people there want to ensure that they have a job and that the organization continues to exist more than that young people get the help they need,” he said.
C. Steven Wolf, chairman of emergency medicine at Saint Francis, suggested that organizations that fall short of their mission may be thinking about their monetary sources. “Organizations want to celebrate their successes, and they should, but if you tackle difficult cases, you won’t succeed in getting funding,” Wolf said.
Biggins, a poet, recites his poetry in the movie: “Walk with me, down that one way on Bellevue to Sanford, take that right. That right there on the left hand side, man, that’s the exact place where my … Paulie died. And my grandfather used to live on that same block. So every time I went to go visit my pops, man, I had to relive those shots.”
Racial divide
Shapiro cited a racial divide in victim follow-through. “When we see wealthy Caucasians exposed to violence, it gets a lot of attention,” he said. “But men of color are diluted in the community. People see them every day of the year as victims of violence. They’re not seen as a community that needs support.”
Brown, who founded Mothers United Against Violence in 2003, agreed. “We’re forgotten in our own community. We are a forgotten people,” Brown said. “It’s frustrating to see the different response among different groups of people. We don’t have that support because we’re people of color.”
Teitler said the movie’s title is both ironic and unironic. In the unironic definition, “the sweetest land” is a hospital. “When you are injured and dying, the emergency system people support and understand you. When you see that happen, it’s just beautiful,” he said.
Before New Haven, “The Sweetest Land” has been shown in New York and Los Angeles. “The conversation is the same everywhere we show the film,” Teitler said.
Surprisingly, the movie hasn’t been screened in Hartford. Teitler said it will be some day, but there are no immediate plans.
NHDocs
“The Sweetest Land” is the opening-night film at the sixth annual NHDocs, a festival of 66 feature films that runs from May 30 to June 9. It will be shown May 30 at 7 p.m. at Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St. in New Haven.
The screening of the 63-minute film will be followed by a panel discussion with Teitler and Dr. Linda Degutis, former director of the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Injury Prevention.
Following that, at 9 p.m., will be a screening of “Questions of Justice: Officers of Color in the Era of #BlackLivesMatter,” a 42-minute film about relationships between police and marginalized communities in New Haven. That film will be followed by a panel with directors Aaron Peirano Garrison and Clark Burnett. Admission is free.
A special focus at the fest this year is on Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore. Seven of his films will be shown and Moore will attend screenings, doing talks, Q&As and film introductions.
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
Featured at The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY, we are so pleased to announce that THE SWEETEST LAND was the festival winner at Queens World Film Festival. Thank you, QWFF
In urban America, there are community promises made, triumphant political speeches performed and conditions, which rarely change. Yet when the gunshots sound and blood spills, who shows up?
From the midnight surgeons, to a community on the brink of hope and sacrifice, THE SWEETEST LAND investigates real stories of violence, prevention and change, where complacency can no longer be an option.
I grew up in Hartford, attended Hartford schools and college. I have always seen life differently. My family raised me here, we definitely struggled and yet I believe it was living in Hartford that created my determination to serve my community in deeply committed ways.
Before retiring in June, I spent 20 years as a Hartford police officer, where I regularly advocated for gang prevention initiatives that would help youths succeed. I was assigned to the Homicide Division, Gang Intelligence and the Police Activities League (among others). In that time, the violence and bloodshed continued through a number of chiefs, enforcement philosophies and political administrations. As an officer, I took every violent act personally and clearly remember the screams I heard. But in all of those years, I saw very few cohesive, responsible, dedicated and accountable violence prevention strategies implemented within the city and community that I love. And that is troubling.
Studies show that roughly 2 percent of Hartford’s population commits most of the criminal acts. From firsthand experience, I know historically, and most likely now, there has been no plan for a brighter future or any extensive efforts to effectively reach those individuals (or those who will become that 2 percent). Much of what you hear are band-aid fixes, new program names and reliance on “hope” for what I see as a chronic sucking chest wound within the city.
We all have advocated for more resources and jobs at one time or another. But even successful prevention programs cannot compensate for the many other funded programs that repeatedly fail our youths, do not advance practice and provide low quality care for those in dire need. Overall, there is a gaping lack of accountability and oversight within these prevention initiatives, their methods and outcomes. We lose lives, miss opportunities and misspend millions without quality assurances and studied results. For example, crime prevention nonprofits submit self-evaluations and self-monitoring reports to receive funding while few watch for accuracy, data proof and outcome. I’ve seen it.
It seems to be part of a predominantly fruitless funding cycle between local, state and the federal government to nonprofit programs that ensures “just enough” is done to stay funded, yet does not mandate enough quality, sustainability, delivered skills and tracking of youth living in Hartford, where the risk of violence is high.
Let’s be clear, there are some great nonprofits that are doing the best they can. But, this is a result of a caring core of workers and prevention practitioners who are dedicated to the cause. Unfortunately, with little leadership and structure, real lives are lost, while a cycle of internal politics, budget tricks or optimistically framed statistics, distracts us all from a truth few are willing to share. We need to responsibly overhaul prevention strategies, reallocate what we spend and deliver effective care. In doing so we need to rigorously monitor results and ensure that people and families have the tools and skills needed to share in the American dream.
On the streets, I dealt with some of the most at-risk individuals in Hartford. I also regularly encountered too many parents, children, criminal offenders and victims who are completely uninformed about which nonprofit programs are available to them, or even what programs might be an appropriate fit for their needs.
Many years ago, I presented a number of ideas to then-Mayor Eddie Perez, which I believe could have changed Hartford’s dynamic; one of them being a citywide referral database by which all nonprofits receiving funding within the city would be required to register and share information with each other. This could help our community to better assess and serve youth and families in much more comprehensive ways, while providing the services they need. I also suggested we use out-of-state evaluators, who have no political ties or agendas. Doing this would ensure true compliance, value and service for the millions of prevention dollars being flooded into the same sections of the city. While I received no response from my presentation, it is more important to acknowledge that Hartford is not advancing as much as it should. In fact, history is repeating itself.
I have seen violence in the most profound, hurtful and personal ways. I would love to see department heads, politicians and the community stand for nothing less than true prevention through true accountability.
Karla Medina of Hartford is a retired Hartford police sergeant and participant in THE SWEETEST LAND
It should have been an enjoyable day. I was at a basketball tournament in Hartford a few months ago and the energy was great. Some 200 people cheered, bikes were given away to community youths, and donation bins accepting clothing for families in need were filling up.
That’s when the sounds of gunshots erupted. You never forget those sounds and the chaotic wave of panic and screams they produce. On that day everyone ran — children, teenagers and adults scattered in broad daylight while another innocent bystander in Hartford died on the ground. Three others were injured.
This wasn’t my first experience with violence. On Aug. 24, 2009, I too became a victim. I was leaving a convenience store in Hartford’s North End and was approached by two men. One of them had a gun in each hand. He was targeting me. Out of reflex, I lunged at him.
I grabbed his arms. I held on tight, but he slipped my grip. Two shots sent bullets searing inches from my spinal cord and I fell to the ground. Trying to stand, my legs didn’t work. I was in the parking lot trying to crawl to the store when my brother saw me. He ran over and held me. The moments were long. I kept repeating, “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die.”
Truth be told, five out of 10 men in my family have been shot. I’ve lost more than 40 friends to violence, including my best friend, who was killed at 10 years old in Highland Park, Mich.
I was mad. I had thoughts of retaliation. So did my friends. Although ours might be a typical response to trauma (or a preventable future act of violence), there were no follow-up services from any community-based organization or gun violence intervention program offered to my family, friends or me. In fact, aside from one underfunded reverend, several mothers who also lost their children to violence, and my family, there was no one to help.
Nighttime was the most difficult. I dreaded seeing the nurse come into my room to change the bandages. The pain was excruciating. I’d stay awake, just watching the door. I wondered if those who shot me would return to finish the job.
I wasn’t alone. Across America, too many young men and women of color endure traumas like this every day and have the same thoughts of revenge.
I know that many violence-prevention programs exist in Connecticut. However, it is puzzling that none called. There were no specialists, therapists or government officials who offered preventive care.
Unacceptably, for too many years, the capital city has had too many lives lost and families broken from violence. We respond with community rallies, meetings and even a visit from the Rev. Al Sharpton. Politicians use the issue to get elected. But with all of this talk, what preventive measures are in place to address these problems, and what programs actually help victims? Too many victims experience abandonment.
I was shot three months after becoming a first-generation male to graduate from college. Had I not been shot, I would have been playing professional basketball in Europe right now. Violence ended my dream.
On the other hand, I fought back. I had lived on one of the most notorious streets in the North End of Hartford, and I considered myself a survivor of violence. I didn’t want to become another statistic in Hartford.
I completed my master’s at UConn’s School of Social Work. As an educated resident and victim of violence, I wanted to connect those at risk with the services they need.
Homicide is the leading cause of death for black men age 15 to 34 nationwide. This is a public health crisis.
Aswad Thomas appeared in the documentary “The Sweetest Land.” He is an advocate for violence prevention programs.
Prior to THE SWEETEST LAND’s completion and release, the Hartford Courant will present exclusive cutting room footage (stories not used in the film), imagery and opinion pieces from film participants. National prevention experts along side of Hartford’s victims of violence, emergency room physicians/practitioners, trauma surgeons, law enforcement professionals and policymakers can present their evidence with one objective – improving the safety-net’s value, outcome and standards so urban youth, families and communities better succeed.
THE SWEETEST LAND’s final cut will be submitted to a wide array of film festivals within 4-6 months. The opinions expressed in the Courant represent the views of independent researchers and SWEETEST LAND participants, not the Courant. The Courant hopes this content will provoke an open and honest exchange of ideas and perhaps a broader conversation about urban violence prevention.
In Connecticut, few would deny the devastating toll that violence leaves. In Urban America, that indescribable pain occurs every night of the year. Connecticut can begin a new process of vastly improved outcomes, accountability and connection to research in prevention and victims care. The question is, will we?
Through private consultations with research-based organizations, a rough cut of THE SWEETEST LAND was presented to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s Injury Prevention Center. In a rare and brave statement, the Center’s Director, Gary Lapidus wrote the following:
“Your Documentary brings to light some of the many issues that comprise this complex problem. The Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center supports and endorses this work.”
“Communities like Hartford have no organized or unified response to violence that involves public health, medicine, law enforcement, mental health services, social work, judiciary, corrections, community organizations, state agencies and local activists. While many mean well, often efforts undertaken to reduce violence are not proven and outcomes are not measured. ”
Gary Lapidus PA-C, MPH – Director Injury Prevention Center – Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, University of Connecticut’s School of Medici
On behalf of all those we filmed, THE SWEETEST LAND, thank you for your courage and honesty with the above statement. We can be THE SWEETEST LAND
Dr. Linda Degutis, a national leader in injury prevention and recent Executive Director for the Center’s For Disease Control’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, formally endorses THE SWEETEST LAND.
Dr. Degutis invited a private excerpt presentation to the CDC for their GRAND ROUNDS series in 2014. Thereafter, Dr. Degutis recognized the film for “humanizing the issue behind the numbers and the news reports.” Degutis also reiterates the challenge of finding strong advocates in violence prevention and the need to use our resources more effectively.
With her endorsement, Degutis’ position not only removes the politics from violence, but more importantly recognizes the need for evidence based approaches to save lives.
We can be, THE SWEETEST LAND.
Currently, the film is in post production and we hope to have more information soon.