Directed by Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough, following Baltimore’s idealistic young mayor, Brandon Scott, into office where he puts his personal and political future on the line to save his beloved city from chronic violence.

The Body Politic opens up with some fairly horrifying statistics about the murder rates in Baltimore, setting the tone for the gargantuan task that Brandon Scott has given himself, to try and improve safety in the city. However, it’s quickly clear how committed Scott is to accomplishing that goal, he’s got a great, strong persona that effortlessly leads this documentary. It’s easy to see how he embodies the idea of being the change you want to see, stepping into an unenviable position because if it’s always left to someone else, the cycle of violence will likely continue. As well as being driven by his own personal experiences with violence, which clouded his childhood.

A key idea that The Body Politic and Scott’s work as mayor explores is dealing with an issue at the source and not in the aftermath. It’s a perspective that is often missing, from gun crime to sex crime, it tends to always be about policing and prison, intervening when it’s too late, rather than prevention. It’s really great to see Scott fervently committed to bettering the city for the long run, even if it’s detrimental to his career as a politician. You can see his passion and determination to make these projects work, as well as holding others accountable at higher levels who undermine that work or attempt to use them as scapegoats.

There is an overall motivating and hopeful atmosphere to the film, despite facing serious hardships and setbacks, which is quite impressive. It’s easy to see how so many would falter and give-up in the face of such difficult, harrowing problems, so it’s moving to watch Scott stand strong. Particularly in the sense that when explaining any success or progress for parts of the city, they’ll always be faced with people trying to challenge that progress, wanting more of it and for it to happen faster, when that’s simply not feasible with long term solutions.

Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough’s directorial style holds a modern edge, it has great pacing and there’s a captivating amount of movement to it, it’s forever pushing forward. It has a superb handle on time, taking place over a longer period but it never feels like you’re missing anything. The visual quality matches the sincerity and weight to this story, it’s sharp and leaning on a darker palette.

The Body Politic is another great example of the new generation of politicians, young people who deeply care about their community, doing everything they can to improve it. You have to hope that in the future people like Brandon Scott won’t be a standout, they’ll be the norm, clearing out that broken system full of people driven soley by optics and money. It both explores Scott’s work and puts a spotlight on ongoing issues in Baltimore, creating an absorbing, moving and inspirational documentary.

Verdict: ✯✯✯✯ | 8/10

Releasing in US theaters from September 27

Screened as part of Sheffield DocFest 2023