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In Seattle, communities are working to break the cycle of incarceration. A promising new restorative justice program based on Indigenous peace-making circles aims to bring healing to families and communities while reforming the justice system.

Synopsis

In Seattle, communities are working to break the cycle of incarceration. A promising new restorative justice program based on Indigenous peace-making circles aims to bring healing to families and communities while reforming the justice system. Using beautifully crafted animation, the film follows “Andy,” a teenager facing felony charges, and his family as they work through the program shepherded by Saroeum, a former gang leader. As they look at the status of the broken justice system - prosecutors, judges, and those running the program ask: how much is our society willing to invest to truly change the trajectory of our communities for the better?


“When a young person comes into court, their attorney rightfully says ‘Don’t talk, I’ll do all the talking for you.’ When you come into a peace-making circle and this talking stick is in the hands of a 16-year-old boy, and all of the adults and everyone else in the room is leaning in to hear what he has to say -- that’s a powerful moment.” - Daniel T. Satterberg, film participant, A Once and Future Peace

Accessibility: Closed-captioning available in English.

 

Watch at your own pace anytime between May 19 - 27, or join us and watch-along before the live Q&A

Sunday, May 23
6:45 PM EDT / 3:45 PM PDT – Start film
8:30 PM EDT / 5:30 PM PDT – Join us for a live Q&A. Register here!

 

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Credits

Eric Daniel Metzgar

Director and Editor

Eric Daniel Metzgar is an Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker and two-time Sundance Documentary Lab Fellow. He directed, shot and edited REPORTER about New York Times journalist Nick Kristof, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, aired on HBO, and was nominated for an Emmy Award. He produced and edited CRIME + PUNISHMENT (Executive Produced by Laura Poitras), which won a Grand Jury Award for "Social Impact" at Sundance, won an Emmy Award, and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. He also directed, shot and edited LIFE.SUPPORT.MUSIC., which was broadcast on POV (PBS' prestigious documentary showcase), and THE CHANCES OF THE WORLD CHANGING, which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and broadcast on POV. Metzgar also edited GIVE UP TOMORROW (Emmy nominated, POV), MAYOR (POV), and ALMOST SUNRISE (Emmy nominated, POV).