Indie Films

Local, USA

Culled from public television stations and independent producers from across the country, LOCAL, USA is a half-hour series featuring fascinating stories of diverse people, curated around a single theme.

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

24m 32s

The number of gun violence victims in Chicago may fluctuate, but the psychological trauma in many neighborhoods is constant. How do wounded communities heal? FIRSTHAND: GUN VIOLENCE explores the personal stories of people whose lives have been affected and how each, in their own way, is transforming pain and struggle into hope and action.

Episodes

  • FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    S7 E7 - 24m 32s

    The number of gun violence victims in Chicago may fluctuate, but the psychological trauma in many neighborhoods is constant. How do wounded communities heal? FIRSTHAND: GUN VIOLENCE explores the personal stories of people whose lives have been affected and how each, in their own way, is transforming pain and struggle into hope and action.

  • The Power of a Pardon: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Power of a Pardon

    S7 E6 - 28m 47s

    For five formerly incarcerated individuals who served their time, the only path to redemption and chance to pursue their purpose is through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Through intimate and, at times, nerve-racking stories, THE POWER OF A PARDON follows these individuals as they show how life-altering a pardon and criminal justice reform can be when trying to build a life after prison.

  • Generations Stolen: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Generations Stolen

    S7 E5 - 24m 39s

    Native American communities are grappling with the fallout of government policies which separated Native children from their families and stripped them of their culture - first at boarding schools, and later in white adoptive and foster homes. On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected challenges to ICWA, a victory for Native communities working to overcome generations of trauma.

  • Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts

    S7 E4 - 59m 20s

    Established by Congress, the 14th Amendment promised citizenship in exchange for enlistment, prompting many African American men. They were denied due to Jim Crow laws but still served. The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

  • Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond Volume 2: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond Volume 2

    S7 E3 - 26m 8s

    Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond reflects the complexities of Asian American experiences: Filipinx filmmaker Bree Nieves and her cousin grapple with what remains of their dreams, after losing one of their fathers during the pandemic; and Chanthon Bun, who lost his legal protection to live in the U.S. after conviction, must tread carefully after being released - ICE could deport him.

  • Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond Volume 1: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond Volume 1

    S7 E2 - 26m 8s

    Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond reflects the complexities of Asian American experiences: Queer filmmaker QuyĂªn Nguyen-Le recovers and articulates the legacy of their mother's nail salon for their refugee family, and Filipino-American filmmaker Frances Rubio captures the experience of being distanced from her sick father, who has been isolated in his facility during the pandemic.

  • Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special

    S7 E1 - 1h 25m

    Set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, GIRL TALK tells the compelling story of five girls on the diverse, top-ranked Massachusetts team at Newton South. Often talked over, underrepresented and judged differently than their male counterparts, each girl learns to navigate gender biases, reminding us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for.

Extras + Features

  • FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Mothers Supporting Mothers: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Mothers Supporting Mothers

    S7 E7 - 1m 28s

    How does our society support community members after the loss of a loved one to gun violence? Noemi Martinez, who lost her son (and her brother) to gun violence on Chicago's streets, channeled her experience into helping other mothers dealing with similar situations at the nonprofit Chicago Survivors. Noemi's grief remains at her side but she is learning to live beyond her loss.

  • FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Preview

    S7 E7 - 30s

    The number of gun violence victims in Chicago may fluctuate, but the psychological trauma in many neighborhoods is constant. How do wounded communities heal? FIRSTHAND: GUN VIOLENCE explores the personal stories of people whose lives have been affected and how each, in their own way, is transforming pain and struggle into hope and action.

  • FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | The Mental Impact on Youth: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | The Mental Impact on Youth

    S7 E7 - 2m 2s

    For Chicago youth, going from one block to the next can be a high-stress or life-or-death ordeal. India Hart witnessed a shooting in her neighborhood that left her dad wounded. It wasn't the only time she experienced gun violence; her uncle and friend were both killed - leaving India and her parents having to deal with her PTSD. What do you imagine a safe and healing community could be?

  • FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence | Trailer

    S7 E7 - 56s

    The number of gun violence victims in Chicago may fluctuate, but the psychological trauma in many neighborhoods is constant. How do wounded communities heal? FIRSTHAND: GUN VIOLENCE explores the personal stories of people whose lives have been affected and how each, in their own way, is transforming pain and struggle into hope and action.

  • The Power of a Pardon | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Power of a Pardon | Trailer

    S7 E6 - 1m 24s

    For five formerly incarcerated individuals who served their time, the only path to redemption and chance to pursue their purpose is through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Through intimate and, at times, nerve-racking stories, THE POWER OF A PARDON follows these individuals as they show how life-altering a pardon and criminal justice reform can be when trying to build a life after prison.

  • The Power of a Pardon | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Power of a Pardon | Preview

    S7 E6 - 30s

    For five formerly incarcerated individuals who served their time, the only path to redemption and chance to pursue their purpose is through the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons. Through intimate and, at times, nerve-racking stories, THE POWER OF A PARDON follows these individuals as they show how life-altering a pardon and criminal justice reform can be when trying to build a life after prison.

  • Generations Stolen | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Generations Stolen | Preview

    S7 E5 - 30s

    Native American communities are grappling with the fallout of government policies which separated Native children from their families and stripped them of their culture - first at boarding schools, and later in white adoptive and foster homes. On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected challenges to ICWA, a victory for Native communities working to overcome generations of trauma.

  • Generations Stolen | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Generations Stolen | Trailer

    S7 E5 - 1m 14s

    Native American communities are grappling with the fallout of government policies which separated Native children from their families and stripped them of their culture - first at boarding schools, and later in white adoptive and foster homes. On June 15, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected challenges to ICWA, a victory for Native communities working to overcome generations of trauma.

  • Generations Stolen | Indian Boarding Schools: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Generations Stolen | Indian Boarding Schools

    S7 E5 - 51s

    Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe) talks about the history of the off-reservation Native/Indian boarding schools and the generational trauma they created for the survivors and their loved ones. She also shares how the schools affected her own family as her father and her grandfather were sent to Fort Totten Indian Industrial School in North Dakota.

  • Generations Stolen | Indian Child Welfare Act: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Generations Stolen | Indian Child Welfare Act

    S7 E5 - 2m 2s

    At a 1974 Senate hearing on the Indian child welfare program, Native mothers like Cheryl Spider DeCoteau spoke about their experiences with raising their children and the policies that challenge their ability. What these women said, and the grassroots movement that followed, led to was the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 - the law is meant "...to protect the best interest of Indian Children..."

  • Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts | Preview

    S7 E4 - 30s

    Established by Congress, the 14th Amendment promised citizenship in exchange for enlistment, prompting many African American men. They were denied due to Jim Crow laws but still served. The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

  • Beyond the Lens with Dru Holley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Beyond the Lens with Dru Holley

    S7 E4 - 5m 40s

    Filmmaker Dru Holley talks about Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts, the making of his film, and reveals the catalyst behind it. The director & producer also discusses the complexities of the Buffalo Soldiers and how, although they are a part of American history, their story remains relevant today.

Schedule

  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Monday
    Jan 1

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Tuesday
    Jan 2

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Tuesday
    Jan 2

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Friday
    Jan 5

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Friday
    Jan 5

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence

    Friday
    Jan 5

    30 Minutes

    Stories from people who have been affected by gun violence in Chicago, and how they are transforming psychological trauma into hope and action.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Monday
    Jan 8

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Tuesday
    Jan 9

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Tuesday
    Jan 9

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Friday
    Jan 12

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Friday
    Jan 12

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Friday
    Jan 12

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Saturday
    Jan 13

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.
  • Image
    Local, USA: TVSS: Iconic

    Local, USA

    Extremism in America

    Sunday
    Jan 14

    30 Minutes

    The downplaying of the spread of extremist beliefs and violence.

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