NIGHTLIFE

PRODUCER’S STATEMENT

By Dave Bour

St. Louis, like many cities, is divided. A stark line is drawn between the impoverished and the affluent. Here, we call that line the Delmar Divide. Running east to west, Delmar Boulevard separates the city’s well-to-do central corridor from its oft-overlooked north-side neighbors. A history of middle class flight, unemployment, institutional racism, and mass incarceration has left this north side community in dire straits. Good families struggle each day—each hour—to gain a foothold for educational and economic prosperity. The warm smiles of residents sitting atop their stoops appear in contrast to the cold, crumbling dilapidation that surround them. Worse yet, these neighborhoods are filled with violence as misguided, gun-toting youth wage war against one another; bringing St.  Louis City to the top of the list each year for murders per capita. Perhaps worst of all, a stigma exists throughout the region that the north side is one part of town individuals should avoid. As newspaper headlines highlight the endless string of murders, apathetic outsiders are more than willing to leave this community to rot, to be choked and swallowed by the same vines of overgrowth that consume crumbling brick brownstones.

NIGHTLIFE is an attempt to shine a light on this community during its darkest hours. Following the footsteps of our protagonist, Reverend Ken McKoy, the film offers an earnest, street-level perspective of these neighborhoods. The film begins with a flurry of headlines encapsulating the familiar narrative of violence and disrepair– but ultimately shifts to something more earnest, and more human. Reverend McKoy, a charismatic pastor with Rastafarian roots, represents the everyman. It’s easy to forget he’s a member of the clergy as he jokes with locals about a stolen-car mishap, listens quietly to an individual describe their struggles with addiction, or offers candid advice to a young gang member. The film aims to engross viewers with one slice-of-life moment after the next, paired with talking-head perspectives of local issues from north side citizens, government officials, historians, and members of Reverend Ken’s ministry.

As a citizen of St. Louis, it’s heartbreaking to witness the despair that exists mere feet from the comfort of my own dwelling. While there is strife all around the globe, it feels criminal to not lend a helping hand to your next door neighbor first and foremost. Elevating each individual means elevating our city, and our region, as a whole.

It’s my hope that Delmar Boulevard can one day represent a bridge, not a divide, to prosperity shared between all people. NIGHTLIFE doesn’t offer an end-all solution. New ideas for betterment will be born out of the dedicated, collaborative effort of our city at large. The film aims to inspire, just the way Reverend Ken inspires those around him. We hope this film may start new conversations, and illicit compassion, and familiarity, over fear.