Heart of Stone

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Documentary

Director Beth Kruvant paints a vivid picture of urban life in Newark, New Jersey in this documentary tracing one man's attempt to rid a school of violence, and give his troubled students hope for the future.

Once immortalized as a turn of the century Camelot by American novelist Philip Roth, Newark has since fallen to ruin as a result of gang violence and inner city strife - and Weequahic High School was no exception.

When new principal Ron Stone arrived at Weequahic in 2001, he recognized the need to help steer the students away from violence by showing them that they can escape the streets and start a new life. His efforts eventually culminated in the implication of an unconventional conflict resolution program designed to help gang members graduate and pursue college.

After striking a true with the gangs, Stone established the school as a non-violence zone and partnered with Jewish and African American alumni to raise funds for college scholarships and school activities. The result was the creation of a school where adolescents endeavor to overcome adversity, and are provided the proper support system to do so.

Not just an illuminating look at the plight of inner city schools, It's Hard to be an Indian is an engaging glimpse into the lives of the people who fight for our future, and the kids who strive to break the very cycle of violence that threatens to consume them.