The Body Politic

Powerful portrait of Brandon Scott, Baltimore’s idealistic young mayor, during his first year in office. In a city with an enormous murder rate, Scott embraces an alternative approach to gun violence. But as the media and his opponents turn up the pressure, will his plans even get a chance to succeed? 

Like many areas in the United States, the City of Baltimore has been plagued by gun violence. Amid the George Floyd uprising, Brandon Scott, a young reform-minded leader, is elected mayor. Immediately, Scott introduces an ambitious public health-focused approach to violence reduction. He believes this will lower the city’s murder rate more effectively than a hard line law and order approach.  

But shortly after Scott has entered office, violence surges to new highs. As the media and political foes attack his plan, he remains committed to his principles even as it puts his future as a politician in danger. Throughout his first year in office, the cameras continue to follow Scott to see if his plan will work. Can it help to heal Baltimore? And maybe even reveal a path forward for the nation?