January 30, 2012 12:27 pm
Oh, Canada! The Interrupters premiered on Canadian television this weekend, and it enjoyed a warm reception North of the Border. The CBC News Network gave Steve James’ and Alex Kotlowitz's acclaimed documentary its North American TV debut, featuring the film on its series, "The Passionate Eye."
Alex Strachan said of the film in The Montreal Gazette and in the Ottawa Citizen, “The Interrupters is as memorable and hard-to-forget as any documentary you'll see this year.” Brad Oswald of The Winnipeg Free Press said, "Watching [the violence interrupters] work is as harrowing and inspiring as TV drama, scripted or not, gets."
In case you missed it, you can now watch the full episode online on the CBC website.
Excited viewers posted their reactions to Twitter and Facebook during and shortly after the premiere:
Watching #TheInterrupters on CBC's The Passionate Eye. I agree with @ebertchicago - where's the Oscar love?
— Justin Harrington (@JustHarrington) January 29, 2012
The Interrupters is about to start on CBC Newsworld. Doc of the year. Never mind your out-to-lunch Academy.
— Scott Austin (@austin_jscott) January 29, 2012
Watching the Interrupters on CBC Newsworld. Amazing stuff.
— Hans (@hseidema) January 29, 2012
"Violence is an infectious disease" just one powerful point in #theinterrupters on @CBCNN fantastic doc.
— Nil Köksal (@nilkoksalcbc) January 29, 2012
The Interrupters, about ex-cons who somehow "interrupt" imminent violence in Chicago, is one of my favourite docs ever. On CBC tonight.
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) January 28, 2012
Saw The Interrupters on CBC tonight. That movie should’ve been nominated for an academy award. #poignant #academyfail
— Sasha Arfin (@sasharae) January 29, 2012
Watching an unbelievable doc-inspiring and sad as hell -The Interrupters on the #passionateeye >Sundance trailer: youtu.be/sXmm0MZLGxY
— YokoSanchez (@YokoSanchez) January 29, 2012
Be watching Channel 189 on Rogers right now. The Crisis going on in Chicago. "The Interrupters" North American Premiere. This is real life.
— HipHossip Music Blog (@HipHossip) January 29, 2012
Watch this dramatic American doc about gangs who now defend their hoods to keep it safe.The Interrupters premiere in Canada @GraffitiBMXCop
— MyYoungToronto (@MyYoungToronto) January 29, 2012
I love what The Interrupters are going; it is about time; and, it should not stop there...life without a purpose is meaningless.
— Dave Gibbs (@Gibbs_D) January 28, 2012