Everything was at stake: Bloods sat with Crips, police with victims, clergy with a mother beaten by the gangs. Within a year, homicides declined 90% And gang-related homicides fell to 0 What happened in that room is our story.
“In a world that often seems too divided, the Watts community chose another path and achieved what no one thought possible.”
What people are saying.
- TIME
“A playbook for how communities can reclaim their streets by telling their own stories.”
— Terry McDonell
Read → - Forbes
“Unlikely collaborators documented their daily lives, and, in the process, reduced homicides by 90%.”
— David Hochman
Read → - The Boston Globe
“A moving and compelling documentary created in an unconventional way.”
— Odie Henderson
Read → - DEADLINE
“One of the most remarkable documentaries of the year… bold, unapologetically real, and socially impactful.”
— Matthew Carey
Read → - The Hollywood Times
“One of the most remarkable accomplishments that the medium of film has contributed to society.”
— Sarah Spitz
Read → - USC ANNENBERG MEDIA
“Watts isn't just being seen — it's finally being understood.”
— Danielle Hughes
Read →
Where we have been.
Peacock Theater
The King Center
Coolidge Corner
The Penn Theatre
Aspen Ideas Festival
Aspen Action Forum
What viewers have said.
“Almost too emotional to even respond. What a powerful testimony to the need for change — and not just in Watts.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“The deep care and affection members from the Watts peace effort showed each other, reflecting the lived results of their efforts to stop the killing in their community.”
— Audience member, Detroit
“It was raw and honest. Lived experience always trumps assumptions and ideas.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“Everyone should see this film! Such raw power!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Very powerful, very moving. Equally heart-wrenching + triumphant. Well done to all involved!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“What a PHENOMENAL story told BRILLIANTLY”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The transformation of bringing strangers and long time feuding enemies together for change. So powerful! Thank you for your stories.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The film was absolutely exceptional but hearing the personal stories live after the screening made the film's impact even more dramatic and real.”
— Audience member, Detroit
“It is all about community - the group on stage live at the end was so beautiful - let’s spread that love and light far and wide 💖”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Amazing way to bring a community together. Blessings to everyone involved.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“The most moving, raw, and real event that I have been a part of. So moving and inspiring!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Very raw, emotional, and inspiring. I hope to see this on more screens, accessible to many, youth connected to this amazing film, wider distribution.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“The event was so impactful! I left feeling excited for Watts, empowered to continue to “Do Good” and make a difference. Thank you for this film!!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“It brought tears to my eyes!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Watching the community begin to heal from within for the next generation was so moving!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“I cried, laughed and ached for every single person impacted by the trauma and tragedy occurring in Watts. What an incredible, realistic account of a multi-layered story.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Real. Raw. Inspiring. Heartwarming. As an Angeleno, so proud of the community of Watts. I hope this is the beginning of meaningful change and endless possibilities for the beautiful humans who shared their stories, and that these endless possibilities spread like wildfire for their community and their children. ♥️”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Riveting documentary. And what an outstanding and unexpected outcome. And the music was spectacular. That choir!!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Phenomenal. Mind-bending. Life changing. Hard hitting. Reality check. So well done. I hope hope hope that this documentary stays the course and continues to change lives the way it clearly did for those involved. Thrilled and humbled to have been there.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“This is an important film, and the atmosphere was electric during the entire screening, and after. People were moved to tears, moved to joy, moved to hope for a better future. This film needs to be seen by everyone. Particularly those involved in or affected by gang violence.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“One-of-a-kind masterpiece that was beautiful while generating huge positive impact for the Watts community.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Raw, honest reality. A film that makes you feel a community's struggles, fears, pain, hope for peace, and a better future. I highly recommend it.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Resilience! Resilience! Resilience! and pride of community!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Phenomenal night. Inspiring and joyous. The film, the music, the filmmakers/cast. All incredible!!!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Moving, creative, important. Thank you all.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Incredible movie with an incredible energy throughout the crowd”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“We were so grateful to have been able to participate in this incredible community event that was geared towards so much celebration of what can be built out of our communities. Thank you for the honesty and candidness in the film, the hope but also recognition of the reality around us, and for highlighting beautiful individuals that radiated what hope and healing looks like!”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“Hope of having peace in our community.”
— Audience member, Los Angeles
“The honest raw truth”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The rawness. Vulnerability”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The loss that each of them felt, and I am so inspired by every single person’s determination to heal their community. Transforming their pain to peace.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“This is the real FUBU - for Us By Us - compelling and moving!!!”
— Audience member, Chicago
“How everyone came together, despite all the tragedy.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The people of Watts making their own story”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The rawness and authenticity of each story. The editing was amazing with the transitions and ease of following”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The courage and vulnerability of those filming.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“These people are all victims to violence in some way, but so am I. Although we all have our own stories and live different lives, we can all relate on one thing: the violence has to stop for our children to have a better chance, and our future can be improved. I feel they were able to give me hope for change.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“It was an inspiring story to a boy from the South Side of Chicago. It really hit home for me.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“Its raw depiction of violence and fear, as well as the glimmers of hope for the younger generation.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“ALL the personal stories hit. VERY relevant!”
— Audience member, Chicago
“My heart bleeds for the parents and siblings impacted by the violence, and my heart and spirit remain hopeful for the peace they work towards. One love.”
— Audience member, Chicago
“The power of community coming together for a better future.”
— Audience member, Detroit
“Seeing the impact that the film has had on the community. Really appreciated the panel at the end. The whole evening was very impactful.”
— Audience member, Detroit
“Storytelling was authentic and provided great insight into the travesty faced by those in the community”
— Audience member, Detroit
“Just to see the amazing stories was a very memorable experience. Meeting the actual players was even better. It really goes beyond words to see how these people’s lives have become intertwined and the peace that has been achieved through their efforts. I hope it can continue and grow to stop the senseless killings.”
— Audience member, Detroit
“This was an amazing, impactful, eye-opening experience. So well done! Kudos to ALL who made this happen and shared! Thank you!”
— Audience member, Detroit
“Having the filmmakers there in person to share their stories was extremely powerful.”
— Audience member, Detroit
The filmmakers.
Rival gang members, police officers, victims of violence, children growing up in the middle of it. No outside director. No script.
