Recent Streaming Documentaries on Philadelphia issues
Angels on Diamond Street
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Streaming. A film about three inspiring women fighting for social justice in an African American church in North Philadelphia. One day, a Mexican undocumented immigrant asks for sanctuary.
The Inheritance
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Streaming and DVD. Pennsylvania-born filmmaker Ephraim Asili has been exploring different facets of the African diaspora-and his own place within it-for nearly a decade. His feature-length debut, THE INHERITANCE, is a vibrant, engaging ensemble work that takes place almost entirely within the walls of a West Philadelphia house where a community of young people have come together to form a collective of Black artists and activists.
Philly D.A.
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Streaming. The eight-part epic, inside look at the tumultuous first term of Philadelphia's unapologetic District Attorney, Larry Krasner. Philly D.A. explores the most pressing social issues of our time--police brutality, the opioid crisis, gun violence, and mass incarceration--through the lens of an idealistic team attempting fundamental overhaul from within the system.
Backpack Full of Cash
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Streaming. Exposes the devastating impact of the corporate-driven reform movement in Philadelphia and other cities where public education, starved of resources, hangs in the balance. The film also showcases the everyday heroes fighting for public education and presents a working model for improving our schools
On the Fenceline: A Fight for Clean Air
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Streaming.. Follows a low-income South Philadelphia community as they mobilize to shut down all operations of the east coast’s largest and oldest oil refinery. After years of living on the fenceline of the refinery and suffering from several critical health issues -- including cancer, asthma, and COPD -- a bankrupting explosion at the PES (Philadelphia Energy Solutions) refinery on June 21, 2019 was the tipping point for the majority of residents. Philly Thrive, an organization of frontline residents and environmental activists, escalates their actions as they campaign to keep the refinery closed for good.
Quest
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Streaming. This New York Times Critics' Pick, filmed with vérité intimacy for nearly a decade, is a moving portrait of the Rainey family living in North Philadelphia. Beginning at the dawn of the Obama presidency, Christopher "Quest" Rainey, and his wife, Christine'a "Ma Quest" raise a family while nurturing a community of hip hop artists in their home music studio. It's a safe space where all are welcome, but this creative sanctuary can't always shield them from the strife that grips their neighborhood
I'm Free, Now You Are Free
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Streaming. A short documentary about the reunion and repair between Mike Africa Jr and his mother Debbie Africa, a formerly incarcerated political prisoner of the MOVE9. In 1978, Debbie, then 8 months pregnant, and many other MOVE family members were arrested after an attack by the Philadelphia Police Department.
Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa
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At the Philadelphia abortion helpline, counselors field nonstop calls from women and teens who are seeking to end a pregnancy but can’t afford to, illustrating how economic stigma and cruel laws determine who has access to abortion in America.