For Flint

2017

• Short

• 18 min

Documentary, Drama

Directed by Brian Schulz

Flint, Michigan is in crisis mode with its unsafe drinking water adding to a decaying infrastructure. Flint rallies together to forge a new, powerful narrative flowing with hope.

Director's statement

I was devastated when I first learned about the Flint water crisis. I knew I had to channel my emotions into something positive for this community that had been through so much. Most of the Flint news focuses on the city's hardships. I wanted to do something different and showcase Flint as a city with hope and potential. The water crisis is just the backdrop to the film's three Flint neighbors living inspirational lives in the wake of desperation. It's a microcosm for the greater good within Flint. Before viewing the film, most people won't know of or understand Flint residents' inspirational spirit. They were first rocked by the General Motors exodus in the 1990s and then were dealt an even bigger blow with the water crisis. Yet in the face of these setbacks, there is a resiliency there that I didn't know existed. My biggest wish for this film is to generate a groundswell of support that puts Flint's recovery at the forefront of our national agenda.

Reviews

But the visually elegant short film that's being featured at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival isn't about looking back in anger. It profiles three residents of the city who are putting a fresh, positive spin on the narrative — not by ignoring problems, but by facing them and finding a way forward.

Detroit Free Press

It is a film that looks less to the past — less at the potentially crippling problems — and more at the future and the hope that residents have somehow managed to find. It is a film about resilience and the power of community and it plays counter to the media narrative that has so thoroughly dominated the zeitgeist: that Flint — like so many other cities — only matters when it’s in crisis.

The Playlist

Schulz’ voice was filled with optimism as he described the town, the unknown gem of the Flint Institute of the Arts, and the beauty even in the dead of winter. He knew he could give a positive voice to the town, creating a more positive perception of Flint. He did so much more than that. We see the true definition of the word “community.”

Reel Honest Reviews

Avoiding what could have easily been a somber narrative about the clean water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Schulz instead chooses to make this documentary a love letter to the city. He interviews long-time residents who reflect on the beauty of their hometown. In doing so, they share their own stories of redemption, faith, mentorship, and pride. While the movie has no discernible agenda, and skirts all intentions of being a passionate rallying cry, there is something very special about this inspiring piece and how it looks at tragedy.

Reel Talk Online

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