I lived in denver in the 80s so I was curious what this was about since I never heard of this area or 'the holly'. And what it's about, I still don't know as I couldn't threw the whole film w/o tapping out. Sure, I heard of the bloods and crypts and the latin kings and so on and I remember the 80s but just because you grow up poor doesn't mean you join a gang or turn activist and raise money or start a program. Don't have a clue where that comes from. The scene where they interview these young black men on the street. They're not like anyone I ever met in denver or anyone else but they're definitely young men I wouldn't hire to mow my lawn either. You can't live the gang life and expect you get rewarded with a white collar career and they're not products of their neighborhoods but products of themselves and brain washing by the media. Same goes for anyone claiming to be an activist. The road to h is paved with good intentions. I didn't get to the gentrification part but that's part of capitalism. When I lived in dc, I was frequently taking a subway at potomac ave and I saw gentrification first hand. At night, looks like some scary urban street scene from a scorsese film. During the day, look close because the people with money moving into these brownstones and turning them over have the best doors. You won't see them in the neighborhood like shopping or anything but you can tell by the door it's secure and expensive and baricaded behind there are people with money. And they're not all white like the media makes them out to be and they are not tearing down the neighborhood; they don't want to be part of the neighborhood but they want is a box they can afford that belongs to them and nobody else. American home ownership and making money is what it's all about. With all that the black power movement every spouted, what did they ever do to advance that for black people or even reduce black on black crime.
The Holly
2022
Documentary

The Holly
2022
Documentary
Plot summary
A deep look inside a gentrifying community in Denver, where a shooting case involving an activist becomes a window into the political machinations of urban development and the city's gang activity.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
activism is not a career choice
A must watch!
Great story.telling! This documentary told a complex story and wasn't shy of touching on tough conversations and topics. I recommend everyone to give it a watch. You will learn so much. These are real life issues. We have to talk about them. We have to hear these stories in order to learn and understand. If you didn't know about the Holly neighborhood, you discover that through the film makers work of art. 10/10 would recommend.
To incite change we can't ignore the corruption that exists in inner cities or with institutions claiming to protect and advocate for the needs of our youth. This film is a great step in the right direction.
Great film!
The documentary is well done, informative, and covers topics that have that have been permeating in not only Denver, but various cities around the country. Through it's storytelling, it provides the deeper look into how greed and gentrification goals have made way for corruption, violence, and negative political influence to thrive in the area.
It dares the audience to consider how some of what's happening in the Holly neighborhood may be happening in other historically black neighborhoods throughout the country.
If you haven't seen this film already, you need to watch it. It's an absolute must see!