Chi Raq by Will Robson-Scott from Protein® TV on Vimeo.
We love the works of Will Robson-Scott be it photography or film but we were all a bit apprehensive when we heard and saw the trailer for “ChIRAQ”. We presumed another film glorifying the mindless violence corroding the Windy city. Glorifying those who have murdered and slain a lot of our friends. Two people really close to DWT have been shot in the last 6 months and for a lack of them not being the target only just escaped with their lives.
We don’t condone the violence in Chicago we condemn it. However we’re not part of that reality and for right or wrong it is the situation and existence that the individuals who live there deal with on the daily. We hope films like this make people ask questions; the right questions about what is being done? Question about who in the the community is trying to change the mindset of the community? Just like over here we know the politicians and the wealthy don’t give a shit either.
However some individuals and organizations care and that is what we’re trying to promote. Be it through footwork in the BGz keeping kids of the street or other initiatives for the citizens that inhabit the city. The citizens of Chicago are warm, they sincerely appreciate outsiders caring enough to tell their story and for this we commend Wills’ endeavour.
He was the first to admit in his Q&A yesterday that “The interrupters” film by Steve James and author-turned-producer Alex Kotlowitz is a masterpiece and focuses on the larger picture in regards to change. Whilst Will was more engulfed in trying to get Cheif Keef (wouldn’t we all??) in his film, he does get Chi-town rap legend King Louie. He also admits to his film merely being a scratch on the surface of a more rounded American problem not just confined to the Chi-town.
Chicago is NOT a dangerous city, It is a city misunderstood by perpetual re-enforced stereotypes and neglected by those who should be looking after is’t best interests.
“For the past decade, Chicago has been enduring a violence epidemic, with a death toll in the thousands and casualties mirroring the losses experienced by the US army in Iraq war over the same period. Allowing its subjects to take centre stage and tell their stories in their own words, Robson-Scottʼs film is unflinchingly honest in its depiction of life on the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in America.” Protein
