In this episode, we talk to filmmaker Paul James about his short film What Freedom, a raw and powerful portrait of a Black teen navigating both the juvenile justice system and the foster care system. Paul walks us through the emotional and creative process of telling Kadeem’s story—one shaped by desperation, hope, and the painful complexities of growing up without a safety net.
We explore the film’s themes, Paul’s inspiration for the project, and how What Freedom speaks to broader conversations about systemic injustice and youth agency. It’s a story that resonates far beyond the screen.