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Project Cinema: Films for Cabrini-Green

Still from the film We Grown Now, three kids walking through the grounds of a housing complex

Join us for a film screening

Still from We Grown Now (dir. Minhal Baig, 2023, 93 mins)

  • National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada Street, Chicago, IL 60607

  • Free

Schedule

  • 6:30 pm Doors open, get settled
  • 7:00 pm Welcome, program begins
  • 7:05 pm Short documentaries
  • 7:20 pm Feature film
  • 9:30 pm Program ends, museum closes

Bring your friends and family out for a screening of We Grown Now, preceded by short documentaries about the Cabrini-Green Homes.

Like many public housing sites prized for their architectural innovation, Cabrini-Green is beloved by filmmakers. From the Candyman coming through the mirror to kids navigating space through holes in the walls, the magic and mystery coming out of this housing complex seems to be blockbuster gold. But who were the people that lived there? And how would they tell the story?

This screening provides context into the history of Cabrini, offering a unique opportunity to visit and venerate the now demolished high rises in the past, present and future.

FREE! Space is limited, please register in advance. Seating will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

The event space is wheelchair accessible and films are closed-captioned.

Food for purchase provided by Chef Nikki B from Beats, Sneaks and Eats.
Free popcorn will also be served!


About the films

We Grown Now (dir. Minhal Baig, 2023, 93 mins)
Two young friends growing up in Cabrini-Green experience the sweetness and tragedy of Black Chicago Life.

Out of the Archives: ‘Candyman was a Candyman: People of Cabrini-Green’ (2 min)
Willie “J.R.” Fleming shares his feelings about the changes happening in Cabrini-Green. Excerpted from episode 15 of the National Public Housing Museum’s oral history podcast, Out of the Archives.

For Those That Lived There (dir. Shawn Antoine, 2024, 6 min)
An experimental documentary witnessing life on the land where Cabrini-Green once stood, chronicling the the haunting displacement of Black legacies and the emergence of migrant narratives.

Cabrini Dreams (1977, 3 min)
Made by students at Cabrini-Green Community High School, young residents of the building reflect on their lives in the neighborhood and wishes for the future.


Upcoming events

Collage of high rise projects and new construction row houses

Raj Chetty in Conversation on Economic Mobility and Housing Justice

A timely conversation with economist Raj Chetty offers insights into the long-term impact of the HOPE VI program

orange background with a purple paper picador banner with decorative edges and house cutouts at each corner. in the center is the word HOME spelled out in smaller paper picador banners.

Dia De Muertos/Day of the Dead

Join us for this participatory cultural event as we collectively remember and honor our loved ones.

orange background with a purple paper picador banner with decorative edges and house cutouts at each corner. in the center is the word HOME spelled out in smaller paper picador banners.

Dia De Muertos/Day of the Dead

Join us for this participatory cultural event as we collectively remember and honor our loved ones.