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charisealexander
Reviews
Divisible (2024)
Important, powerful perspective for Omaha residents and beyond
This film focuses on redlining in Omaha, Nebraska, with the perfect balance between using a broad lens - figuratively :) - to demonstrate the national, systemic problems and their historical context, along with a more focused lens that shows the lived realities and personal stories of redlining in our community. It is "digestible:" certainly problems like this can feel overwhelming, but the amount of information itself is appropriate. It also manages to depict an unflinching portrait of reality, showing the scope and scale of the problem, without getting mired in hopelessness. Nor does it attempt a tidy explanation or resolution, which would be disingenuous. The film seems to suggest that no one has all the answers, but, to paraphrase James Baldwin, we all have some responsibility. It is humbling to me as a white person. It does an admirable job highlighting the work of the people of color most affected by these problems, acknowledging that, naturally, community members are the closest to the potential solutions (even though they are not to blame for the problems), not some outside experts In this lies the film's dose of hopefulness. It will move viewers to action.