Louis C.K. is trying his hand at movie distribution and recently release a gang documentary called Check It through his website.
C.K. announced the release of the project through an email to his followers, explaining how the film came to be as executive producer Steve Buscemi convinced him to check it out at the Tribeca Film Festival in April.
“It knocked me right over,” he said. “It was an amazing emotional ride. It was funny and moving, I learned a lot and it gave me a lot to think about after.”
Directors Toby Oppenheimer and Dana Flor followed members of a Black gay gang in Washington D.C. for four years as they struggled to survive against poverty, violence, and hatred.
“It’s about a gay Black street gang in DC (the only one documented in the country) made up of kids who were living on the streets and easy targets for violence and harassment,” C.K. said. “They started this gang to protect each other. They made a family where they didn’t have one.”
He did warn that the film would not be an easy watch because of the heavy material:
“It takes on life right where the rubber hits the road. What made me love it was just the kids themselves. They are like any kids, like anyone’s children. They are trying to cope against terrible odds, they are funny and full of hope and life. Their lives are difficult and complex. They are very generous in sharing this with the filmmakers and you, if you watch the film.”
Check out the preview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auaKQx0pVE0