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The New Public

Directed by Jyllian Gunther

Release: 2013
Runtime: 87
Country: U.S.
Language: English
Director: Jyllian Gunther
Writer: Jyllian Gunther

In fall 2006, former DJ, point guard and teacher turned first-time principal, James O'Brien, opened a small public high school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where 1/3 of residents live below the poverty line and the graduation rate is 40%. With infectious optimism, O'Brien and his team of eight undertook an unconventional approach and ambitious mission: Create a school with an arts-oriented curriculum that also emphasizes self-development, community collaboration and social change. Initially, the buzz from everyone was that this was a dream come true. But conflicts arose when untested idealism was challenged by long-standing realities far bigger than school.

Over four years, this heartfelt verité film follows the journey of students, parents and educators striving to make a difference in the futures of young people whose lives are stark representations of our country's education and opportunity gaps. Through the prism of one inner-city public school, we witness complexities faced by urban public schools and communities everywhere.

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Reviews More Reviews

"As the country continues to struggle with education reform, it seems obvious that education schools need to change, so that prospective teachers walk into their first classroom knowing how to teach. Maybe THE NEW PUBLIC can help bring about that change." - Joe Nocera, The New York Times

"With humor and nuance, The New Public is inspiring and sobering." - Greg Kauffman, The Nation

"Setting aside political debates over school funding and philosophy to examine one school's real- world experience, Jyllian Gunther's THE NEW PUBLIC...is a fine addition to the larger conversation and has theatrical appeal." - John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter

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Technical Info

  • Color: Color