Filmed during the explosive trial of the Chicago police officer who killed Laquan McDonald, “City So Real” uses the wide-open 2019 mayoral election as the primary vehicle for doing what filmmaker Steve James does best: engaging with people, allowing them to express themselves as complex human beings and capturing the small, as well as the seismic, moments that define the places we come from and who we are as individuals and as members of a diverse community.
Chicago is one of the largest cities in the US with beautiful people, a rich culture, and an ever noticeable divide between the north and south side. While blacks and other minorities living on the south and west side struggle with less access to basic resources, violence, crime, and police brutality, the north side remain oblivious as to why the city needs new leadership who will implement changes.
As the mayoral election comes to a head, both communities must confront each other and their issues ultimately deciding who will be the best candidate to turn their city around. While some truly care about abolishing police brutality, ridding the city of crime, and creating a safe, thriving environment for everyone, others with more financial resources use their dollars to pay for votes with no intention of the people in mind.
This series is just in time, as this country enters what is considered to be one of the most important elections of our time. It exposes the ugly truths about who we are as a society, how some exercise their privilege while perpetuating a broken system. It also gives hope as many celebrities and youth are now getting involved and using their influence to change the world.
National Geographic will air “City So Real” on Thursday, October 29th. The airing is unprecedented – all five hours in one night, commercial-free. PSAs from “I am a voter” will air between each episode. The series will be available on Hulu the next day, Friday, October 30th.
