Know How 2014
Distributed by First Run Features, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036; 212-243-0600
Produced by Paul Griffin
Directed by Juan Carlos Pinero Escoriaza
DVD, color, 106 min., English and Spanish subtitles
High School - General Adult
Storytelling, Sociology, Music, Urban Areas, Adolescence, Crime, Domestic Violence, Social Work
Date Entered: 11/13/2015
Reviewed by Linda Yau, Bronx Community College Library, Bronx, NYIn an urban city like New York, with over eight million residents, there will be countless stories from people of many backgrounds and ages. Know How is a musical film, written and acted by five black American adolescents who lived within the foster care system. Five different stories are narrated, and during the film itself, these characters don’t know each other, but the similar issues they survived unites them.
The film explores controversial topics such as guns, gangs, sexual abuse, drugs, and the limited choices people feel they have. There is also the mention of education as a motivator. For a couple of characters in the film, their street smarts have helped them survive. The underlying message of Know How is to improve the foster care system, and document the struggles of living in poverty. The message of hope also exists, since the film is a rich portrayal of an underserved population. The actors have all advanced in their lives, with the support of friends, families and various organizations.
This DVD is appropriate for public library collections as well as academic collections focusing on diversity, urban studies, and social services. There are additional features that include extended or deleted scenes and musical numbers. For the hearing impaired or for those with limited English language, there are English and Spanish subtitles.
Awards
- New York International Film Festival: Best New York Feature Film 2014