June 1, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Film Review: Mimi Chakarova’s “In The Red” – A Story That Changed Lives

“Changing Lives to Save Lives”

With the beautiful opening shot of Oakland, California, I had a hunch this was going to be a compelling feature-length documentary, and indeed, director, producer, and cinematographer Mimi Chakarova’s In the Red is a fascinating journey into the lives of mostly young African-American men who, but for the grace of the Bay EMT’s special training program for potential first responders and firefighters, would most likely have spent much of their lives behind bars.  Some of them had already been in prison and probably would have been on the road to more jail time.

Each of these Oakland trainees has a personal story from their incarceration to one who is humiliated that he’s still living with his mom and sleeping on her couch.  On completing this physically arduous program, the starting salary is $100,000 yearly.  One of the graduate trainees quipped:  “I could have been in prison or working at McDonald’s.” The only female trainee, Samatha Soto, shared her story.  She was separated from her family at age four.  Mom was doing drugs, and when the police raided her house, she hid underneath her home.  The no-nonsense trainers, most of whom are graduates of this program, don’t brook any fools. 

One trainee was tossed out of the program for being late to class.  As narrator Joseph Stubbs takes us through the story, we see scenes of grueling exercises, from multiple push-ups, sit-ups, and squats to practicing entering burning buildings and learning the importance of tying the correct knot. A major benefit of this program is that for graduates, convictions can be expunged, allowing the new firefighter to begin the job with a clean slate.  

Graduation day is a heart-warming moment when family and friends gather to support their loved ones in their moment of glory.  By the grace of this program, their lives have been totally transformed, and they stand ready to serve their community. Chakarova’s sharp direction sprinkles in wonderful drawings of the action, illustrating specific moments in the narrative, nicely supported by Raphael Saadiq’s lively soundtrack.
 
Eleven years in the making, In the Red tells the story of the determination of a group of young African-American men and one woman who decide to turn their lives around to train as first responders and firefighters through this free program. They are offered a lifeline to becoming productive members of society. The film is raw and, at times, funny as it follows the lives of these six young people for more than a decade. Not everyone made the cut, but for those who did, their lives are forever changed. 

<>Related Posts

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

Westside Ballet to Present Spring Showcase and Gala Featuring NYCB Stars This Weekend

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Community Service Award will go to first responders from Los Angeles and Santa Monica in...

Salt & Straw Unveils Summer Pie Series with Five Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Five New Flavors Inspired by Classic Summer Pies Will Be Introduced Salt & Straw is giving summer a scoopable twist with...

Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination...

(Video) Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Are in Need of Caregiving

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

To Find Out More, Go To Safelyhomeagain.com To Find Out More, Go To https://t.co/ZcOduvaP03 pic.twitter.com/9E2uPzzZO6 — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror)...

(Video) Last Thursday Concert Series Kicks off at Venice Boardwalk

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The shows happen at Dudley Ave. at the pergolas on the north end of the boardwalk The shows happen at...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Summer Reading Program to Promote Literacy

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Running from June 14 through August 16, the program encourages participants of all ages to track their reading progress and...

Film Review: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

FILM REVIEWJANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFERated R98 MinutesReleased May 30th Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a refreshingly simple and...

Burger Chain Tied to Late Rapper Nipsey Hussle Announces Venice Boardwalk Location

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

The announcement marks the brand’s expansion from its Fairfax District debut earlier this year Marathon Burger, a new franchise honoring...

Levain Bakery Debuts ‘Levain à la Mode’ with Local Ice Cream Partners for Summer

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Seasonal Offering With Wanderlust Creamery is a First in Cookie Shop’s History For the first time in its three-decade history, Levain...

Bay Cities Italian Deli Responds to Health Code Closure, Commits to Corrective Action

May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Santa Monica Landmark Disputes Rodent Claims but Acknowledges Violations Bay Cities Italian Deli, a Santa Monica staple renowned for its...

(Video) Interviews with Rick Caruso and Elyse Walker, with a Dennis Quaid cameo

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

We spoke at the Press Conference to announce plans to reopen Palisades Village Shopping Mall. Actor Dennis Quaid arrives to...

Santa Monica Landlord to Pay $685K in Tenant Harassment Lawsuit

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

The settlement, announced Tuesday, resolves allegations of tenant harassment and discrimination under the city’s Tenant Harassment and Housing Anti-Discrimination ordinances...

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...