DVD: The Interrupters (E)

On a daily basis, governments and shady financiers present us with the very worst of humanity, Ameena Matthews, a former drug addict and gang member and the daughter of a Chicago gangster, Jeff Fort, gives us the best humanity has to offer in Steve James's absorbing documentary about members of CeaseFire, an anti-violence programme operating in the city.

Matthews is one of the three practitioners James focuses on here, the other two are former gang members Cobe Williams and Eddie Bocanegra. The eloquent Matthews is inspiring, some moments here are uplifting, but a feeling of hopelessness still dominates.