Check It
Acceptance is worth fighting for
At first glance, they seem unlikely gang—bangers. Some of the boys wear lipstick and mascara, some stilettos. They carry Louis Vuitton bags, but they also carry knives, brass knuckles and mace. As vulnerable gay and transgender youth, they’ve been shot, stabbed, and raped.
Once victims, they’ve now turned the tables, beating people into comas and stabbing enemies with ice picks. Started in 2009 by a group of bullied 9th graders, today these 14-22 year old gang members all have rap sheets riddled with assault, armed robbery, and drug dealing charges.
Led by an ex—convict named Mo, Check It members are now creating their own clothing label, putting on fashion shows and working stints as runway models. But breaking the cycle of poverty and violence they’ve grown up in is a daunting task.
Life for the Check It can be brutal, but — it’s also full of hope and an indomitable resilience. At its heart, CHECK IT explores the undying friendship that exists between these kids — an unbreakable bond that is tested every day as they fight to stand up for who they are in a community relentlessly trying to beat them down.
Director
Dana Flor & Toby Oppenheimer
Producer
Wren Arthur, Dana Flor, and Toby Oppenheimer
Runtime
89 minutes
Rights Represented
International Rights
Captions Available
None Available
Language
English
Press
“Check It is consistently compelling, with a brisk pace and vivid personalities making up for the occasional unanswered question. Assembly is aptly not over-slick but energetically well-turned.”
- Variety
“Oppenheimer and Flor capture striking, unmediated moments of humor, violence, insight, and beauty.”
- Brooklyn Magazine
“Check It is full of broad strokes illustrating the abhorrent realities of disparity, but nuances sneak up on you as these kids share their world views in casual conversation.”
- Gawker
Festival & Awards
Official Selection – TRIBECA Film Festival
Official Selection – HOT DOCS Film Festival
Official Selection – AFI DOCS Film Festival
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