Sundance Channel’s provocative and eye-opening documentary series “Brick City,” executive produced by Forest Whitaker and filmmakers Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin, takes an in-depth and no-holds-barred look at the immense challenges facing the city of Newark, New Jersey and its outspoken and charismatic mayor, Cory Booker.
Making its television debut Monday, September 21st at 10:00pm et/pt and airing for five consecutive nights at 10:00pm et/pt, the program puts an illuminating spotlight on this inner city’s struggles and the resilient community leaders, civil servants and life-long residents committed to making Newark a model for urban renewal in America.
“These personal stories are riveting,” commented Sarah Barnett, Sundance Channel Executive VP and GM.” She added: “The series plays out like a high-stakes drama – about life and death, dreams and disappointments, danger and determination and poverty and promise – but most importantly, it is storytelling at its finest.”
Marc Levin, who executive produced and directed the docu-series, added: “Mark Benjamin and I were captivated by this city and Mayor Booker’s charisma. I grew up near Newark and I can testify, change is real here. But change is hard. It’s authentic human drama and that’s what we wanted to capture. From the personal to the political, the stories were so compelling, we used to joke, ‘We’re going to put the real back in reality programming’.”
In the five one-hour episodes of “Brick City”, the lives of Mayor Booker and Police Director Garry McCarthy intertwine with Jayda, Blood gang member turned youth mentor, who lives with her Crip boyfriend Creep, and other citizens on the front lines. With unprecedented access to both the powerful and the disenfranchised, the series organically brings to life the true challenges and adventures of social transformation. From City Hall to the streets, it creates a vivid portrait of a city at a critical moment in history.
Newark is known as ‘Brick City’ for its architectural style, urban strength, and human resilience. Against great odds, Newark’s citizens and its Mayor, Cory Booker, continue to fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption. With Booker, one of the most dynamic young politicians in the midst of the Obama era and his Police Director Garry McCarthy at the helm the city has achieved some impressive results. In 2008, the city has seen a 32% reduction in homicides and continues to work on improvements in housing, employment, ethics reform in municipal government and education. The Mayor, his Administration and everyday Newark residents redress the label that Newark had become a symbol of the great American urban decline. Despite progress, the current economic downturn makes the city’s comeback even more challenging.
Episode Descriptions:
Monday, September 21st at 10:00pm
Episode 1: Summer Is Ours.
As Summer 2008 approaches, no one has forgotten the bloody summer of ’07, when three college students were murdered, execution-style, on the playground of Mt. Vernon Elementary School. Thus far in 2008, Newark is leading the nation in homicide reduction, but the traditionally violent months of July, August and September could erase those gains. So it is with no small sense of urgency that Mayor Cory Booker and Police Director Garry McCarthy are putting new programs and systems in place to keep the streets safe during the hot months to come. Longtime Blood gang member Jayda juggles motherhood with her work as a youth counselor, while her romance with Crip gang member Creep serves as a living example that violence and enmity can be overcome. Jayda and Creep are delighted to learn that she is pregnant, but an ugly episode in Jayda’s past suddenly returns to the fore, threatening all their plans for the future.
Tuesday, September 22nd at 10:00pm
Episode 2: Trouble.
Jayda remains in jail as Creep struggles to take care of his and Jayda’s children, while his boss at Integrity House, a respected therapeutic center, contacts authorities on her behalf. Mayor Booker attends public ceremonies relating to trade and housing, and faces skepticism and criticism at a community meeting in the city’s middle-class North Ward. Business Administrator Michelle Thomas lays out the grim facts about the city’s budget for Mayor Booker. At the regular CompStat (crime statistics) meeting, Garry delivers good news about the homicide numbers, and Mayor Booker joins Governor Corzine to announce a new state program to help ex-offenders find regular employment. Jayda’s plans for a nonprofit mentoring group are gaining steam, but her relationship with Creep is headed for crisis. And though the number of homicides may be down, senseless murders continue to occur, bringing with them anguish and rage.
Wednesday, September 23rd at 10:00pm
Episode 3: Central.
It is July, and the word comes down that Newark’s new Central High School building – now nearly 10 years and $100 million in the making – may not be ready for the start of the school year. It’s a development that leaves everyone angry, and it’s up to Principal Ras Baraka and Vice Principal Todd Warren to prepare contingency plans and maintain morale among students, parents and staff. Creep and Jayda reconcile, and Jayda meets with the straight-talking, savvy defense lawyer Brooke Barnett about her pending criminal case. At City Hall, all departments are grappling with cost-cutting necessities, and a sign in Mayor Booker’s office says it all: “We are in a budget crisis.” But the life of the city goes on, with an opening parade for a renovated park, a back-to-school fair and other activities. As the school year begins Central High opens. Camaraderie and serious discussions share the agenda at overnights given by Principal Baraka and Vice Principal Warren for Central High’s freshman boys, and by Jayda for her young female mentees.
Thursday, September 24th at 10:00pm
Episode 4: Circus.
For the first time in more than 50 years, the Barum Baily and Ringling Brothers circus comes to Newark, an event that is a testament to the city’s increased viability and improving public profile. Meanwhile, Director McCarthy’s efforts to change Newark’s policing methods have begun encroaching on areas traditionally overseen by the Chief of Police. Jayda makes her first court appearance in her pending case, and her lawyer investigates the claims made against her. The Newark Police Department and the Bloods mourn deaths in their families. Jiwe
Blood author wins his literary award. News reports alert McCarthy to a potential coup against him – and it will be up to Mayor Booker to determine the outcome.
Friday, September 25th at 10:00pm
Episode 5: Red October.
The city posts its 50th murder of the year, raising fresh concerns about the public safety policy. As he campaigns for Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Mayor Booker must also decide which candidate to support in the critical race for Municipal Council in the Central Ward. As he surveys the scene of a daytime dual, shooting, Director McCarthy wonders if an intra-gang war is brewing. After Newark’s streets explode in gunfire – including an incident near Central High – McCarthy demands a plan to deal with the violence that is claiming gangbangers and innocent victims alike. Facing dwindling legal options, Jayda must decide what is best for herself and her family. Newarkers flock to the streets to savor an historic Election Day, and Mayor Booker keeps a close eye on the local results.
Sundance Channel will present encore airings of the series each Sunday at 9:00pm, Monday at 12:00am and Saturdays at 12:00pm et/pt thru October 31.
“Brick City” is executive-produced and directed by acclaimed filmmakers Marc Levin (Gang War: Bangin’ in Little Rock and “Street Time”); and Mark Benjamin (The Last Party, Jails Hospitals & Hip-Hop). Oscar® -winning actor and producer Forest Whitaker also executive produces. Executive producers for Sundance Channel are Evan Shapiro, Sarah Barnett, Lynne Kirby, and Mala Chapple.
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