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IMDbPro

The House I Live In

  • 20122012
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
The House I Live In (2012)
An investigative look at America's war on drugs and its impact on the criminal justice system, with a focus on the experiences of Nannie Jeter, a former employee of filmmaker Eugene Jarecki's family.
Play trailer2:19
3 Videos
11 Photos
  • Documentary
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.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
5.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Eugene Jarecki
  • Writers
    • Eugene Jarecki
    • Christopher St. John(additional writing)
  • Stars
    • Eugene Jarecki
    • David Simon
    • Shanequa Benitez
Top credits
  • Director
    • Eugene Jarecki
  • Writers
    • Eugene Jarecki
    • Christopher St. John(additional writing)
  • Stars
    • Eugene Jarecki
    • David Simon
    • Shanequa Benitez
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos3

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:19
    Theatrical Version
    The House I Live In
    Trailer 1:25
    The House I Live In
    The House I Live In
    Promo 2:18
    The House I Live In

    Photos11

    The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    Eugene Jarecki in The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    The House I Live In (2012)
    Christopher St. John in Reagan (2011)
    Alexandra Johnes, Eugene Jarecki - Sundance 2012, The House I Live In

    Top cast

    Edit
    Eugene Jarecki
    Eugene Jarecki
    • Self - Narratoras Self - Narrator…
    David Simon
    David Simon
    • Self - Creator, The Wireas Self - Creator, The Wire
    Shanequa Benitez
    • Selfas Self
    William Julius Wilson
    • Self - Harvard Universityas Self - Harvard University
    • (as Prof. William Julius Wilson)
    Glendon Goldsboro
    • Self - Providence Policeas Self - Providence Police
    • (as Lt. Glendon Goldsboro)
    Fabio Zuena
    • Self - Providence Narcoticsas Self - Providence Narcotics
    David Kennedy
    • Self - John Jay College of Criminal Justiceas Self - John Jay College of Criminal Justice
    Michael Correia
    • Self - Commanding Officer, Narcoticsas Self - Commanding Officer, Narcotics
    • (as Lt. Michael Correia)
    Charles Bowden
    Charles Bowden
    • Self - Investigative Reporteras Self - Investigative Reporter
    Gabor Maté
    • Self - Physician, Addiction Expertas Self - Physician, Addiction Expert
    • (as Dr. Gabor Maté)
    Mark W. Bennett
    • Self - U.S. Federal Judgeas Self - U.S. Federal Judge
    • (as Hon. Mark Bennett)
    Maurice Haltiwanger
    • Self - ID# 03678-029as Self - ID# 03678-029
    Jim K. McGough
    • Self - Maurice's Lawyeras Self - Maurice's Lawyer
    • (as Jim McGough)
    Eric Franklin
    • Self - Lexington Corrections Centeras Self - Lexington Corrections Center
    • (as Warden Eric Franklin)
    Mike Carpenter
    • Self - Chief of Security, Lexington Correctionsas Self - Chief of Security, Lexington Corrections
    Michelle Alexander
    Michelle Alexander
    • Self - Author, The New Jim Crowas Self - Author, The New Jim Crow
    Charles Ogletree
    Charles Ogletree
    • Self - Harvard Universityas Self - Harvard University
    • (as Prof. Charles J. Ogletree)
    Anthony Johnson
    • Self - ID# 06263-082as Self - ID# 06263-082
    • Director
      • Eugene Jarecki
    • Writers
      • Eugene Jarecki
      • Christopher St. John(additional writing)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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?"

    • Connections
      Edited into Independent Lens: The House I Live In (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      GRANDMA'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

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    A must-see documentary
    In 40 years, of America's 'war on drugs', more than 45 million arrests have been made. The approach has made the United States the world's largest jailer with almost 2.3 million individuals incarcerated. This means that the USA has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world with about 1% of all adults in jail. African Americans comprise less than 14% of the US population but almost 40% of those in prison. Hispanic Americans comprise just over 16% of the US population but around 20% of those in prison. African American males are jailed at about six times the rate of white males and three times the rate of Hispanic males.

    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.
    helpful•12
    3
    • rogerdarlington
    • Jan 19, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 5, 2012 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • Japan
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
      • ITVS (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Guerra contra las drogas
    • Filming locations
      • New Haven, Connecticut, USA
    • Production companies
      • Al Jazeera Documentary Channel
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Charlotte Street Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $210,752
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,453
      • Oct 7, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $219,159
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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