This project is about Flint, Michigan, both as it’s perceived and experienced. Flint no longer needs an introduction after this past year, and it probably hasn’t needed one for the past 30 years. The city has long been the poster child for the American Dream gone wrong. Between Michael Moore and the water crisis, everyone knows what to expect when they hear the name “Flint” — economic, political, and social dysfunction. In a perfect world, this project would convey some other reality. But these ideas about Flint are accurate. Flint is a place of struggle. It’s true and everybody knows it. But that’s not all it is…
Flint is a Place is a cross-platform, episodic documentary series that seeks to document a specific moment within this American city in an intimate, character-driven way. The narrative is framed by the story of two sisters. Claressa, an Olympic boxing champion, and Briana, a teenage mother. Their story is punctuated by the best and worst of Flint. The water crisis on one hand, and prom on the other. Flint is a Place is an opportunity for viewers to step into Flint — a place with a strong identity and deep scars.
Artist Bios
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Zackary Canepari
Zackary Canepari is an American documentary photographer and filmmaker. After studying photography in Paris and San Francisco, Zack began his career in India in 2007, working as a photojournalist for editorial clients and non-profits. In 2009, he became a member of Panos Pictures in London.
In 2010, Canepari teamed with filmmaker Drea Cooper and launched California is a Place, a series of short documentary films about California. The films screened at international festivals including Sundance and IDFA and led to commercial film opportunities for companies like Apple and Toyota. Canepari and Cooper made a short documentary film series together, titled Robotica, for The New York Times. Their first feature documentary, T-Rex, about female boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, premiered at SXSW in March 2015 and was featured on PBS before the 2016 Olympics.
Zack is currently based in northern California and continues to work on both photography and film-based documentary projects.
Organizations
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United Photo Industries (UPI)
United Photo Industries (UPI) is a New York based nonprofit organization that works to promote a wider understanding of, and increased access to, the art of photography.
Since its founding in 2011, UPI has rapidly solidified its position in the public art landscape by continuing to showcase thought-provoking, challenging, and exceptional photography from across the globe. In its first seven years, UPI has presented the work of more than 2,500 visual artists in gallery exhibitions and public art installations worldwide.
Flint is a Place
Featuring: Zackary Canepari
Curated by: Liza Faktor
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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Presented by: Screen, Verse.Media, Economic Hardship Reporting Project, Visura, The New Yorker, Panos Pictures, ESPN Magazine, Slim Pictures
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