Mark Sakamoto's documentary series was delayed by the pandemic but debuted this week, and is perhaps more poignant than ever with what has transpired in recent months.--SUBMITTED IMAGE
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The debut of Mark Sakamoto’s documentary series on how certain communities are successfully tackling some of society’s most vexing problems was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Hatter behind the series “Good People,” which is now available online, says the outbreak adds poignancy to the underlying premise of the show commissioned by the CBC.
“The reason behind the show is to illustrate that while there are a lot of seemingly insurmountable problems out there, in every case there is a solution,” Sakamoto told the News this week.
“It wasn’t designed (to run) during COVID, but I think it’s more relevant than ever.”
The first episode of the public affairs documentary series was made available on Friday evening on CBC’s streaming service “Gem.”
It looks at homelessness and focuses in part on Medicine Hat’s program to address the issue wth housing support. It was partially filmed in the city, includes interviews with local officials and compares approaches across the country.
Future instalments deal with the opioid crisis, the issues faced by veterans returning from deployment in Afghanistan, garbage collection and gun violence.
The initial five-part series is a product of Sakamoto’s production company, VICE media, and the CBC, and was planned to debut on streaming platforms and its News Network in March.
Sakamoto said it is meant to provide a thoughtful look at problems, encourage discussion, and move towards solutions – a tact that decision makers could use now more than perhaps other times.
“While cities and towns and the country itself hits the pause button, if there’s a silver lining, it’s that in these quiet periods, decision makers and citizens can use it as an opportunity to deeply think about what kind of community, society and country we want to emerge back into,” he said.
While work on the specific issues and others are in a seeming holding pattern while governments and communities address the health and economic costs of the pandemic response, that work could benefit from perspective, or be applied to new problems exposed by the pandemic.
“COVID has laid bare a fundamental truth that we’re only as strong and vibrant as the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Sakamoto.
“It was true before, during the pandemic and it’s certainly going to be true after, and in fact, issues like homelessness, substance abuse and mental health are going to be more pressing than they were six months ago.”
