The Interrupters

The latest documentary from director Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams, focuses on violent neighborhoods in Chicago, and the work of a select few people who are trying to halt that violence. James has a steady hand when it comes to his documentaries, and this might be his best since Hoop Dreams. He covers one year in the life of “interrupters,” people who try to convince young people to choose other means than violence to solve their problems. While the state of affairs depicted in the film is quite terrible, James’ film retains a level of hope at its core. One of the year’s best documentaries.