To many Americans, issues regarding public housing and urban poverty often remain out of sight and out of mind. Further, the imagery is often steadily upheld by lurid stories of violence, gangs, and drugs offered up by news coverage disconnected from the communities they claim to represent. This documentary personifies the increasingly politicized matter of public housing through the stories of former and current residents, revealing the complexities of surviving and thriving in these communities often because and despite the challenges residents have had to overcome. Introduction by VPM Executive Producer Mason Mills, and discussion with filmmaker Martin Montgomery; and subjects TJ Thompson, Von Johnson, Cotina Brake, Gwendolyn Harris, and Demonte Cosby; moderated by Lorenzo Dickerson (UVA and Maupintown Media) to follow.

Presented by VPM

Heard is part of the Spotlight on Virginia Filmmaking presented by Virginia Film Office