REIMAGINING SAFETY
Film poster for "Reimagining Safety".  Police stand armed amid a Black Lives Matter protest, a woman holds "I Can't Breathe" sign.
REIMAGINING SAFETY
Film poster for "Reimagining Safety".  Police stand armed amid a Black Lives Matter protest, a woman holds "I Can't Breathe" sign.
Ten experts discuss practical alternatives to policing and incarceration following the 2020 murder of George Floyd

REIMAGINING SAFETY

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BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival | "An incredible, transformative resource that we absolutely NEED everyone to see!" - Olayemi Olurin BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - The Lost River Film Festival | "An absolute must-see documentary" - Chuck Modiano

Public Safety • Police brutality • Alternatives to Policing • Restorative, Racial and Social Justice • Communities of Care • History of Policing • Black Lives Matter • Housing and Homelessness • Social Work • Community Responders • Violence Prevention • Abolition • Mental Health Interventions

Date of Completion: 2023 | Run Time: 83 minutes​​ | Language: English with Spanish subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript | Director/Writer: Matthew Solomon | Executive Producers: Donna Hadjikhani & Matthew Solomon | Co-Executive Producer: Neda Hadjikhani |  Consulting Producer: Michelle Silver

Taking as its premise that policing is not the only solution to all of society’s challenges, REIMAGINING SAFETY features wide-ranging, one-on-one interviews with some of the leading voices on the topic, including Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon; University of Southern California Law Professor Dr. Jody Armour; Mount Saint Vincent University Women’s Studies Professor Dr. El Jones, Sociology Professor and author of The End of Policing Alex Vitale; feminist and abolitionist Nikki Blak; and Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, among others. Among the questions posed by the documentary are: is policing really the best answer to problems that occur in many neighborhoods? What can be done to address conflicts that arise from mental health crises? What is the best training or background for those whose job it is to defuse conflicts of various sorts? Shot on iPhone, REIMAGINING SAFETY reimagines the goal of public safety by acknowledging what isn’t working and then offering humane and equitable alternatives.

Dr. Reggie Walker | Director of EOP, Rider University
"Remaining Safety was just the documentary we need in today's climate, as it forced us to confront ourselves with the hard questions around policing and safety in this country. It was thought provoking without being judgemental and convicting without being condemning. It's message is one that is appealing and logical, allowing it to speak clearly to all who view the film, regardless of what their individual stance may be on policing in this country. I'm so glad we showcased Mr. Solomon's amazing documentary for our students and look forward to showing it again."

Hân Trần | Washington Human Rights Commissioner
"Reimagining Safety," directed by Matthew Solomon, offers a visionary portrayal of a world where human dignity and safety are foundational principles. This documentary is not just a film; it's a vital blueprint and a solid primer for a future that prioritizes the humanity and dignity of every individual. Solomon masterfully exposes the threads of structural oppression while highlighting the power of community-driven care and resistance.

What resonates deeply with me is the film's approach to community engagement—emphasizing something as simple yet profound as getting to know your neighbors. This act alone reclaims the narrative of safety and establishes a foundation for mutual support and understanding. The narrative empathetically centers on those most affected by inequity, alongside the policymakers, illustrating a dynamic dialogue between them.

"Reimagining Safety" challenges us to envision and actively shape a world where everyone's life and experiences are valued and safeguarded. While the film acknowledges that implementing such profound structural and communal changes is challenging, it also inspires a hopeful resolve. It reminds us that understanding existing systems and strategically dismantling them can lead to inclusive, transformative growth.

As Ruha Benjamin profoundly states, and as echoed through this film, we must "remember to imagine and craft the worlds you cannot live without, just as you dismantle the ones you cannot live within." Solomon's documentary invites us all to engage in this critical, creative, and necessary reimagining."

Olayemi Olurin | Movement Lawyer and Political Commentator
"An incredible, transformative resource that we absolutely NEED everyone to see!"

Bunchy Carter | Minister of Defense, The Black Panther Party Washington State
"An era-defining documentary [that] will be a part of political education classes for the Panthers!"

Chuck Modiano | Justice Journalist
"An absolute must-see documentary!"

Baz Dreisinger | Founder of the Prison-to-College Pipeline, Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Founding Executive Director of Incarceration Nations Network
"An indispensable account of a movement that continues to change the face of justice in the US!"

AWARDS
Best Documentary Feature | The Los Angeles Independent Film Festival 
Best Documentary Feature | The Lost River Film Festival
Best Documentary Feature | Crown Point International Film Festival 
Special Mention Best Documentary | The San Pedro International Film Festival
Best Cinematography | The People's Film Festival
Best Film, Media for a Just Society Award | Evident Change