Reviews following the "Us vs. Them" screen test

"Us. V. Them is powerful storytelling at its best. It presents a nuanced and provocative perspective on who society perceives as the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” In weaving lived experiences from police officers and individuals returning to the community after prison, the documentary sheds light on the role of law enforcement in a democratic society—what it is, and what it could be. Having worked in law enforcement for decades, Writer/Producer Charles Grady and Emmy award winning Director Alex Vishno look to break entrenched stereotypes that often promote dysfunction and hold back the profession from moving forward WITH the community."

-Jennifer Balboni, Ph.D., Professor of Criminal Justice

"Civility and adoption of a person’s best character leads to quality of achievement for everyone. I can envision a program developing from this documentary that would both fill the void of not enough police applicants and offer former troubled and/or incarcerated individuals a joint opportunity to to share their values and TONE to local communities"

-Rhoda Winik

"It was an honor to be included in this masterpiece documentary! "US vs. Them" discusses the issue of blurred lines of what many would call "good guys" and "bad guys" in the criminal justice space! It is a thought-provoking look at police and formerly incarcerated persons impacting systemic change in CT This is a must view event! Shout out to Charlie Grady, Alex Vishno and the folks at A2V Media!!"

-Dr. Lorenzo Boyd, Professor, University of New Haven

"Us vs. Them offers a compelling and thought-provoking look into modern policing and community relations. The documentary pushes viewers to reflect deeply on the evolving role of law enforcement and the complex dynamics that shape trust, accountability, and public safety.

The diverse perspectives shared by the participants add depth and authenticity, allowing the audience to see the issues from multiple angles rather than a single narrative. It’s an honest, engaging, and at times challenging exploration of a topic that impacts all of us.

This film truly exceeded my expectations, and I’m already looking forward to part two. It’s a must-see."

-Katherine Watts, LCSW

"I felt the tone of the film was especially good: thought provoking and inviting change in a very positive and tangible way."

-Joe McAndrew formerly of Yale Law School

"Thank you and the rest of the group for this amazing production. It was a real privilege to sit and listen to the stories. This film should be a must see for police, social workers, political officials and anybody else who cares about making the world a little bit better." 

-Maureen Carr

"Such a great movie!"

-Paul Herman

"It was amazing, can’t wait to bring it to City of Norwalk, CT!"

-Nicole Hampton of Norwalk NAACP