A Head Full of Doubt

2008 was a violent year in Chicago. High murder rates, escalating gang activity and low graduation rates. This set the stage for what is best described as the city's tipping point. What followed was years of national attention highlighting Chicago as the countries murder capital. Enter Tony DiVittorio, a high school counselor on Chicago's west side. Tony began noticing a change in behavior of his male students. Many were being disciplined for classroom outbursts, fighting, truancy and a multitude of anger issues. Furthermore, on Chicago's south and west sides a large percentage of males grow up without fathers or positive male role models in their life. With this in mind Tony set out to lead a generation of youth by creating a male character development program called B.A.M. (Becoming A Man). His goal was to build men of integrity by focusing on core values like respect, responsibility and self-determination. In 2008 filmmaker Jason Weisner began documenting the B.A.M. Program. Jason followed the program for 7 years, one filmmaker, one camera. What emerged was an inspirational documentary about a generation of youth who are desperately searching for someone to believe in them. The documentary showcases the beauty that comes from mentoring youth in a city that needs it most. A Head Full of Doubt is a gritty little film with a lot of heart and important social mission.