ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Theater will present a screening of "Hear Me," a documentary addressing the causes of gun violence in Berkshire County, on Sunday, June 1, at 2:00 PM. 

 

The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged on the theater's website.

 

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A focused on violence prevention.

 

The film, produced by Jenny Herzog and directed by Dave Simonds, centers on the experiences of young people in Pittsfield and North Adams impacted by gun violence.

 

"There are a lot of parallels in their stories," says Jenny Herzog, who produced the film with director Dave Simonds. "Intergenerational trauma, struggles with substance use, Department of Children and Families involvement, bad experiences in the education system, housing and food insecurity, incarceration, losing loved ones to community violence. But more importantly, the film gives us a chance to get to know these young people beyond any of that–and to learn from them, as they generously offer wisdom and insight for a way forward."

According to a press release, gun violence is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 19. For young Black men, not only is it the leading cause of death–it's higher than the next nine causes of death combined.

 

"Our cast has been impacted specifically by community violence and homicide (which makes up roughly 43% of deaths by firearms nationwide). When it comes to this sort of violence, we as a society rely on stigmatizing certain individuals to justify why we depend on law enforcement and the criminal justice system to deal with the problem. But those systems don't treat root causes–in fact, they further entrench trauma." 

 

Herzog, a singer, tap dancer, and educator, was first exposed to these issues while working for the violence prevention nonprofit Roca in Boston. She moved to the Berkshires during the pandemic and ended up connecting with another recipient of state violence prevention funding here, pitching the project that ultimately became "Hear Me." She and Simonds interviewed seven young people in Pittsfield and North Adams who have been impacted by gun violence; the film centers around their experience.

 

"In our film, they are the experts," she said. "If we're going to find a way forward, we need to listen and learn from those who have been directly impacted. Screenings and talk-backs aim to facilitate a broader conversation around effective gun violence prevention in Berkshire County." 

 

Herzog has become involved in the local conversation, teaming up with Pittsfield Chief Diversity Officer Michael Obasohan to lead meetings with stakeholders and community members about gun violence and its prevention.

 

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q & A. Herzog hopes to bridge the gap between "the two Berkshire counties"—and to connect with second homeowners, retirees, and other locals who may want to get involved. "Screenings like this are a vital way to start that dialogue," she said.