At the Movies: American Beat: Cops and Refugees Join Forces in Boise

Since the 1970s, thousands of refugees from countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, and Somalia have started new lives in Idaho. The new documentary American Beat: Cops and Refugees Join Forces in Boise weaves together three heartwarming stories that rise above the divisive politics of immigration: the groundbreaking efforts of Boise police officers to integrate and mentor refugees; the determination of a former Iraqi translator for the U.S. military who is putting down roots in a new country with his family and dreaming of becoming a police officer; and a portrait of Boise itself, coming together to show refugees from war-ravaged parts of the world that, in America, a united community can conquer tragedy and hate.

“American Beat: Cops and Refugees Join Forces in Boise,” created with Gail Ablow and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, won in the “Public/Current/Community Affairs – Program/Special” category at the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards. This year’s Northwest Emmys took place at Seattle’s Fremont Studios where Blue Chalk was represented by creative director, Rob Finch, and producer Whitney Bradshaw.

KJ