From the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, a penetrating look inside America's criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.... Read allFrom the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, a penetrating look inside America's criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.S. drug policy.From the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, a penetrating look inside America's criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.S. drug policy.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 3 nominations
- Self - Harvard University
- (as Prof. William Julius Wilson)
- Self - Providence Police
- (as Lt. Glendon Goldsboro)
- Self - Commanding Officer, Narcotics
- (as Lt. Michael Correia)
- Self - Physician, Addiction Expert
- (as Dr. Gabor Maté)
- Self - U.S. Federal Judge
- (as Hon. Mark Bennett)
- Self - Maurice's Lawyer
- (as Jim McGough)
- Self - Lexington Corrections Center
- (as Warden Eric Franklin)
- Self - Harvard University
- (as Prof. Charles J. Ogletree)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
Herself - Author, The New Jim Crow: You know, in any war, you've got to have an enemy, and when you think about impact, particularly on poor people of color, there are more African-Americans under correctional control today in prison or jail, on probation or parole, than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began. And that's something we haven't been willing to look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "what's really going on?"
- ConnectionsEdited into Independent Lens: The House I Live In (2013)
- SoundtracksGrandma's Hands
Written by Bill Withers
Published by Songs of Universal, Inc. on behalf of Interior Music Corp.
Performed by Bill Withers
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
Against this background, Eugene Jarecki has written, produced and directed this striking documentary examining the impact of the war on drugs in America. Starting with the black woman who was his childhood nanny, he interviews an eclectic cast of characters with different experiences of the problem: the drug dealer, the policeman, the judge, the prison guard, the life prisoner with no chance of parole, and – most eloquent of all – the creator of the television series "The Wire".
Until recently, the drug problem has been seen by many Americans as a black and brown issue and the strong emphasis on enforcement measures, with a growing use of mandatory minimum sentences, has led to a swollen ethnic prison population that, for many whites, has swept the problem off the streets and out of sight. But the availability of different drugs and the loss of manufacturing jobs has led to more white, working class men being caught up in this destruction of both personalities and communities. So, at its core, this is not an issue of ethnicity but one of poverty.
The film argues that the policies of the last four decades have failed and need to be fundamentally rethought. Drug use should be considered as less an issue of criminal justice and more a matter of public health. Many drug users are not evil or selfish but victims of poverty and deprivation who are trying to find some income where there is little employment and some solace when life is so miserable.
This is a stunning documentary that raises profound issues – and not just for Americans. It will not be an easy film to see at the cinema, so catch it on television (as I did) or buy or rent it.
- rogerdarlington
- Jan 18, 2013
- Permalink
- How long is The House I Live In?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Guerra contra las drogas
- Filming locations
- New Haven, Connecticut, USA(Interview)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $210,752
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $16,453
- Oct 7, 2012
- Gross worldwide
- $219,159