CIFF47: PSQ March 22 – April 1, 2023 | Streams April 2 – April 9, 2023

The First Step

Year: 2021
Country: USA
Language: English
Run Time: 89 minutes

The First Step
The First Step
The First Step
The First Step

Depending where you fall on the political spectrum, political commentator Van Jones may evoke an array of different emotions. To some, he is seen as a truth teller and a changemaker. To others, he is a talking head for the Democrats’ “Communist agenda.” And to a group of former supporters, Jones is seen as an untrustworthy traitor. An outspoken progressive voice on CNN, Jones has taken an increasingly controversial approach to getting things done…by reaching across the aisle. During the Trump administration, Jones worked tirelessly to create criminal justice reform, joining with the former president and his supporters to do so. Although Jones ran the risk of losing the backing of both sides by trying to pass a bipartisan bill, he pushed forward, continuing to bring people together who normally would never find themselves in the same room. An inside look at Jones’ courageous efforts and dedication to criminal justice reform, THE FIRST STEP is an intimate documentary that reframes what it means to make a difference and highlights the importance of continuing to have conversations with people of differing opinions. —G.S.

CIFF46 Screenings

Connor Palace

Wednesday, April 06, 2022 at 7:40 PM

Thursday, April 07, 2022 at 2:30 PM

CIFF46 Streams On Demand

Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 11:00 AM -
Sunday, April 17, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Streams Access: United States and US Territories
Accessibility (?)
Closed Captions: Yes
Audio Description: No
English Subtitles: No

Related Event
46th CIFF College Program

Sidebar
Black Cinema

Competition
Nesnadny + Schwartz Portrait Documentary Competition

Director

Director
Brandon Kramer

Producer
Lance Kramer

Cinematography
Emily Topper

Editing
Natasha Livia Mottola, Steven J. Golliday, Sara Fusco, Leslie Simmer

Featuring
Van Jones, Louis L. Reed, Jessica Jackson, Jared Kushner, Pete White, Tylo James, Douglas Copenhaver, Dee Pierce, Patrisse Cullors, Charlemagne Tha God, Karen Hunter, Kim Kardashian West

Film Contact

Film Sponsors

Cleveland Humanities Festival

Community Partners

Towards Employment

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