Independent Lens

The House I Live In/As I Am

The House I Live In": As America remains embroiled in overseas conflicts, a less visible war is taking place at home, costing countless lives, destroying families and inflicting untold damage on future generations of Americans. For over 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world's largest jailer and damaged poor communities at home and abroad. Yet for all that, drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever before. This program captures heart-wrenching stories at all levels of America's drug war -- from the dealer to the grieving mother; the narcotics officer to the senator; and the inmate to the federal judge. "As I Am": This short film floats through South Memphis resident Chris Dean's landscape, revealing the lives that have shaped his world. Poetic and powerful imagery combines with the young philosopher's trenchant observations about life.