St. Louis is like any industrial, metropolitan city — filled with high crime, failing public schools, and segregated neighborhoods. To a refugee teenager, arriving in St. Louis can feel like being sent to a war zone after just surviving one. The International Play Ground is a performing arts group that reaches out to refugee youth, who come from war-torn countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Ivory Coast and Colombia.

Knock Knock, America follows six IPG members through their daily lives and the production of their original play “Big Tree.” Joseph strives to get into college and return to his country with a degree. Junior gets lost in the poor communication of the city's justice system. Not understanding the customs and language can create a barricade that some of them masterfully hurdle over, while others get tangled in the red tape.

The documentary is made possible by the Commission for Access of Local Original Programming (CALOP). In partnership with CALOP, the Higher Education Channel (26) will air the documentary in May. www.hectv.org

Directed by Rebecca S. Rivas          An Inner Mission Production      

Produced, Edited and Shot by Daniel Huck and Rebecca S. Rivas

Knock Knock, America will screen at 7:30 p.m., May 4, 2008, at the Tower Grove Abbey in St. Louis, MO. 2336 Tennessee @ Shenandoah. Free screening and donations are accepted. 

The screening is part of a monthly Music, Movie and Movement Night at the Tower Grove Abbey, presented in partnership with Love-O-Rama Records. Check out the website for information on screenings in the future www.loveoramarecords.com

Knock Knock America Preview CLICK HERE

POSTERS:

At Highest Risk poster

LoveORama show poster

 Para español: Haga Clic Aquí

Thank you for your support in our journey back to Peru this May 2007. We showed the documentary in the areas where we filmed. It was an incredible success!

We will be updating the website with footage and photos from this trip soon. 

Thank you all for participating in the Inner Mission/LoveORama tour across the Western United States! To see the Behind-the-Scenes tour photos, click here at www.celiaisrock.com.