December 26, 2020
This riveting documentary chronicles a startling tale of institutionalized racism working against the dedicated efforts of the first African American Police Chief, Kelvin Sewell in the small town of Pocomoke on Maryland’s lower Eastern Shore.
Produced by award-winning journalists Taya Graham and Janis (hosts of TRNN’s Police Accountability Report, and producers and co-creators of the award-winning podcast Truth and Reconciliation on Baltimore’s NPR affiliate WYPR),
Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, calls for substantive reform of law enforcement have launched an intense national debate. But an effort by veteran African American officer, Kelvin Sewell to implement community policing in the small racially divided town of Pocomoke is a cautionary tale on limits both to reforms and how racism may be the biggest obstacle to change.
The national debate over policing generally misses a critical point: how embedded law enforcement is in the political power structure of this country. Historically this has situated law enforcement at a critical juncture in conflicts regarding race, equity, and politics. This complex story made national news and shines a spotlight on the insidious racism often just under the surface.
That’s the subject of “The Friendliest Town,” a gripping documentary feature film that chronicles the turmoil, conflicts, and retribution that embroiled a five-year effort to overhaul a troubled police department amid long-simmering racial tensions.
In 2011, the city of roughly 4,000 people which is equally split along racial lines, hired Kelvin Sewell, its first African American police chief. Sewell, a former Baltimore city homicide investigator and narcotics officer had grown tired of the aggressive tactics used by the Baltimore Police Department…particularly those targeting black communities.
Determined to deploy a different approach to law enforcement, Sewell implemented an intensive community policing plan. He and his officers parked their cars and walked the streets. They got to know residents; they built relationships with people who had been subjected to harsh police tactics and the failing war-on-drugs mindset.
Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, plans an upcoming January release of Ace Spectrum Productions of the timely investigative documentary feature film. “The Friendliest Town” will mark the directorial debut from an award-winning journalist with The Real News Network, and author Stephen Janis.
Award-winning The Real News Network reporters Stephen Janis (director) and Taya Graham (producer), traveled over 45 times to the small town on Maryland’s lower eastern shore, making the 3 ½ hour trip to cover council meetings, interview residents, and to document the political awakening of the town’s African American community.
“The Friendliest Town” follows those at the center of this tumultuous racially charged documentary chief Kelvin Sewell, Pastor Ronnie White, Diane Downing, Todd Knock, Rev. James Jones, Michelle Lucas, Joshua Nordstrom; and the filmmaking team is led by director Stephen Janis, produced by Taya Graham and Stephen Janis, with cinematography by Taya Graham, Stephen Janis, Evan Janis, edited by Kelly McAdams, Stephen Janis, with an original score by Stephen Janis.
