An Exploration of Urban Violence

Interrupt Violence is an online, interactive experience exploring the causes and effects of the widespread violence located in America’s inner cities. Commissioned by the Tribeca Film Institute, the project was inspired by the highly acclaimed film ‘Interrupters’ by legendary filmmaker Steve James.

With Kounterattack’s experience in online communities connecting through digital storytelling and social integration, a natural partnership with the filmmaker formed to conceptualize an approach to building an interactive solution around a complex narrative. The corresponding digital experience features characters from the film as they attempt to confront the destructive cycle of poverty, incarceration, and joblessness plaguing their communities.

Complex Problems

How could we align ourselves with the buzz of the film and simultaneously educate the audience to look at the issues surrounding violence? A connection to the viewers needed to be made to expose the root and scale of urban violence in America, how it affects these communities, and how we can help to stop it. Envisioning a digital space which would allow people to engage in conversations about violence became an opportunity to offer outlets for help, and connect people to local violence prevention efforts.

Creating a Lasting Dialogue

To connect with the film, the solution features the actual participants highlighted in the film as they attempt to confront the violence often caused by poverty, incarceration, and joblessness within their communities.

Kounterattack created an immersive experience that is used as a catalyst for further discourse – giving the audience a digital shrine to express their own grief and to honor the memories of the victims of violence.

Through the stories of those affected by this persistent issue, we tailored an interactive storytelling experience where we address the key issues surrounding the violence. Ultimately, it is a social project designed to encourage young people to reflect on their choices and give them the tools to become powerful change-agents in their communities.