Dispatches from Cleveland

In recent years the city of Cleveland has garnered a lot of national attention for its impressive revival, thanks to such events as the Republican National Convention and the Cavs winning the NBA Championship. While these accomplishments should certainly be acknowledged, there are still a number of serious issues affecting the city. For example, nearly one in three residents is living in poverty. And transgender women are often the target of hate crimes that go unnoticed. Another notable concern is the excessive use of force from Cleveland police officers. The U.S. Justice Department confirmed this to be the case after investigating the murder of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. In Dispatches from Cleveland, Rice's mother painfully recalls how Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty failed to fight for her son, instead trying to paint the family as opportunists. Regarding the verdict, one of the activists featured in this powerful film laments, "We needed a championship, but not an athletic one." For those seeking justice, the city's renaissance is bittersweet - its rebirth won't be complete until everyone can reap the benefits. (Cleveland International Film Festival)