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a note from the director…
In a conversation over breakfast shortly after Trump’s inauguration, activist and political commentator Van Jones shared with me his intentions to spend the next four years doing everything he could to make progress on criminal justice reform and addiction. I had known Van for many years, and he had a compelling theory of change in this moment: common pain could lead to common purpose. Van was prepared to take major risks by breaking ranks from other progressives to work with Republicans while they were in power. It was clear he was prepared to take a controversial path on these issues in a polarized time.
Van’s imminent political — and personal — quest felt compelling, urgent, uncertain and perhaps perilous. I wondered: What does it look like to try to work across the aisle at such a deeply divided time? Can something be accomplished? What are the consequences?
THE FIRST STEP is an independent production of Meridian Hill Pictures (CITY OF TREES, PBS, Netflix 2016) and Magic Labs Media, in association with legendary filmmakers at Kartemquin Films (MINDING THE GAP, Hulu, 2019 Oscar Nomination) and Big Mouth Productions (DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD, Netflix 2020) and the editorial talent behind KING IN THE WILDERNESS (HBO, Sundance 2018) and BIRTH OF THE COOL (PBS, Sundance 2019).
about the director…
Brandon is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures. Brandon directed CITY OF TREES (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, national broadcast on PBS’ America Reframed, Netflix); and the Webby Award-winning independent documentary series THE MESSY TRUTH. Brandon won Best Director at the 2016 Chesapeake Film Festival and Indie Capital Awards, received the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 American Conservation Film Festival and was a 2015 DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Individual Arts Fellow. Brandon has directed over 30 short documentaries commissioned by public agencies and nonprofits including AARP and US Institute of Peace. Before starting MHP, Brandon served as a teaching artist for the John F. Kennedy Center’s national media education program. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in film and cultural anthropology from Boston University.
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