Produced by Kartemquin Films, The Interrupters is directed by Steve James, director of the documentary Hoop Dreams,[2] and co-produced by Alex Kotlowitz, author of There Are No Children Here.

Englewood lies approximately 12 miles south of the Loop and began as a home to German and Irish farm and railroad workers.

[4][5] Most of the drug activity can be traced back to two notorious gangs that run the area: The Gangster Disciples and the Black P Stones.

[8] The film also picked up the Special Jury Award at the 18th annual Sheffield Doc/Fest - the UK's largest documentary festival - in June 2011.

[12][13] The film holds a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 93 reviews, with the consensus stating "Impeccably crafted and edited, The Interrupters is a tough and honest documentary about street violence that truly has the power to inspire change.

[15] After watching a screening of The Interrupters in October 2011, Bermuda's National Security Minister vowed to implement a CeaseFire-style program in the country.