Not too long ago Juan previewed the super real documentary, “Brick City”, for you guys. The Forest Whitaker produced series will air on the Sundance channel and follows the young upstart mayor Cory Booker as he aims to transform the image of Newark, New Jersey. A city that has struggled in several areas, in particular crime. I had planned to check out the series anyway but I actually recently got the chance to check out a few episodes in advance of Sept. 21th air date and I was rather impressed. It was almost like watching a real life version of The Wire in the way that filmmakers switch back and forth between the people living in the hood and the city officials who are trying to make changes in that same hood.

Though Mayor Cory Booker is indeed the star of the series and is certainly a charismatic figure, It was young lady by the name of Jayda that I found interesting as she drips with the hypocrisy that ultimately defines human behavior. She has dedicated herself to helping youth yet she is a gangbanger and active Blood. She has her son call her partner “stepdad” even though they are not married nor even mention getting married (at least from the two episodes I’ve seen). Seems insane we all know someone who thinks and acts like Jayda and that made the show a lot easier to get into. We hear the word “real” so much when it applies to urban lifestyle of those who live it but the word fits “Brick City” more than anything else I can think of in recent memory.

I spent some time living in Jersey and I clearly remember the first time I went to Newark and I clearly remember thinking to myself, “this place is way more hood than I thought it was” so it was interesting seeing those thoughts realized on screen in a very true and real manner. You watch it sometimes relating to what you see on screen and at other times just being glad you aren’t dealing with the issues the people on the screen are. Certainly, worth the time to check it out.

“Brick City” airs as 5 one hour long episode starting on Sept. 21th – 25th on the Sundance Channel. You can can find out more info on the series on their Twitter page.