Brick City (2009)
Created and directed by the award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, Brick City, is a documentary series that captures the daily drama of a community striving to become a better, safer, stronger place to live. Against great odds, Newark’s citizens and its Mayor, Cory A. Booker, fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption.
Seasons & Episode
We rejoin charismatic Mayor Cory Booker on his quest to make Newark, New Jersey a national model for urban transformation during a season when he is also running for re-election. Controversial Police Director Garry McCarthy battles a rising surge of violent crime as he faces numerous political enemies. Jayda and Creep, with baby Layla in tow, open their mentoring non-profit, "Nine Strong Women." Finally, there is Dashaun "Jiwe" Morris, author, gang member and father of three. Charged with attempted murder, Jiwe and his dynamic lawyer, Brooke Barnett, face an excruciating decision: take a 6-year plea sentence or go to trial and risk the possibility of conviction and 81 years behind bars.
As they try to build new lives, Jayda and Creep are dogged by their pasts and become entangled in legal troubles. Director McCarthy feels the heat as criticism mounts over police conduct and crime reporting methods. Newly elected governor Chris Christie comes to Newark in an unexpected gesture of goodwill and diplomacy. Mayor Booker conspicuously fails to mention his Police Director McCarthy in his annual State of the City address, raising speculation about the Directors future in the administration.
The shooting death of a young filmmaker at a notorious apartment project sparks a massive response by Newark police and activists, along with bitter criticism of Director McCarthy and the police department from Central High School Principal Ras Baraka and others. Jiwe and lawyer Brooke Barnett gear up for Jiwes trial, while Brooke works to straighten out the mess surrounding Jayda's arrest. A former Booker administration official is indicted just as the Mayors re-election campaign kicks off. Booker's bitter rival, former mayor Sharpe James, returns from prison to a hero's welcome.
With the help of a local pastor, Jiwe attempts to organize a Blood v. Crip peace truce basketball game, but authorities in Newark have serious reservations. As the budget crisis intensifies, labor union head Rahman Muhammad challenges Business Administrator Michelle Thomas, and Newark students pour out of school to protest state education cuts. As the City Council elections approach, the Booker Team incumbent, Oscar James, tries to slow the momentum of his opponent, Ras Baraka. Scandal again rocks the police department, and everyone waits to see if the Blood v. Crip game is on.