Before 1992, Cabrini-Green, a housing project designed for war veterans, was a neglected Black and brown community in Chicago. It suffered from a lack of resources, protection, and was plagued by gang activity and police raids. However, amidst the challenges, life went on for the residents. Children attended school, adults worked hard, and joy and tears were a part of everyday life. The community’s reputation took a turn for the worse in October 1992 when a seven-year-old boy named Dantrell Davis was shot and killed, becoming one of many victims of gun violence in the city. This tragic event brought national attention to Cabrini-Green and further solidified the negative perception of housing projects.
Writer-director Minhal Baig’s film “We Grown Now,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, presents a different perspective of Cabrini-Green. It focuses on the stories of fictional 10-year-olds Malik and Eric in 1992, highlighting themes of Black youth, perseverance, imagination, and the meaning of home.
Baig, a Pakistani American filmmaker, was born and raised in Chicago and has a personal connection to the idea of home. After her father’s death, she struggled to consider Chicago her home and recently returned from Los Angeles. The concept of home guided her exploration of Black boyhood in inner-city Chicago during the ’90s.
Although Baig had a limited relationship with Cabrini-Green, she felt a sense of displacement when she returned to Chicago and saw the changes that had occurred in the community. This led her to examine her own understanding of home and its connection to the people who inhabit it.
In “We Grown Now,” Malik’s mother makes the difficult decision to move her family out of Cabrini-Green for better opportunities. However, they must confront the loss of community and familiarity that they leave behind. The film explores the specific experiences of living in Cabrini-Green, such as police raids, gun violence, playground antics, and dreams of a better future.
Baig’s approach to the film was heavily influenced by the stories she collected from former residents of Cabrini-Green. She used various methods to reach out to these individuals and gain insights into their experiences. Baig approached the project as a journalist, taking the time to listen and understand their memories of Cabrini-Green. She aimed to humanize the community and shed light on stories that had not been portrayed on screen before.
As a non-Black filmmaker, Baig felt a responsibility to approach the stories with care and respect. She treated the process as a journalistic endeavor, allowing the narratives to emerge naturally from her conversations. By focusing on the perspective of children, Baig was able to capture a unique and nuanced view of Cabrini-Green.
One of the residents Baig spoke to was Annette Freeman, the mother of Dantrell Davis. Through open and honest dialogue, Baig gained the trust of the community and was able to authentically portray their experiences.
“We Grown Now” presents a heartfelt and intimate exploration of Cabrini-Green, delving into the memories and stories of its former residents. Through Baig’s dedication to understanding the community, the film offers a fresh and authentic perspective on Black youth, resilience, and the meaning of home.
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