Watch DeKalb Elementary

DeKalb Elementary is a 2017 drama film that is based on true events. It is directed by Reed Van Dyk and stars Shinelle Azoroh, John Brockus, and Michael Brown in the lead roles. The movie explores the intense situation that develops in a school when an armed man enters its premises. The story revolves around a receptionist named Cassandra (played by Shinelle Azoroh), who works at DeKalb Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. One day, a young man (played by Bo Mitchell) walks into the school lobby with a rifle and a backpack full of ammunition. He is clearly disturbed and agitated and threatens to shoot the first person who tries to stop him.

As the situation unfolds, Cassandra is the only staff member present in the lobby, and she is faced with the daunting task of trying to keep the armed man calm and prevent him from hurting anyone. She uses her communication skills to establish a rapport with him and tries to understand his motives for carrying out this act of violence.

As the film progresses, we see how the situation becomes increasingly tense as police and SWAT teams arrive at the scene. The film is shot almost entirely inside the school lobby, which adds to the claustrophobic and anxious atmosphere.

Throughout the movie, the audience is presented with a range of emotions. We feel fear, anxiety, and tension as we see the potential for tragedy unfolding before our eyes. Yet, we also feel compassion and empathy for the young man, who is struggling with complex emotional issues.

The acting in DeKalb Elementary is excellent, particularly the performance of Shinelle Azoroh, who plays Cassandra with a mix of empathy, strength, and vulnerability. John Brockus and Michael Brown also give convincing performances as police officers who are trying to bring the situation under control.

The film's cinematography is also notable, as it uses a restrained visual style that captures the intensity of the situation without resorting to melodrama or excessive violence. The use of close-ups and limited camera movements heightens the tension and helps to convey the claustrophobic atmosphere of the school lobby.

Overall, DeKalb Elementary is a powerful and gripping film that explores the complexities of human emotion and the potential for violence in our society. It asks important questions about mental health, gun control, and the role of schools and communities in preventing tragic events like school shootings.

The film's title refers to the real-life DeKalb Elementary School shooting that occurred in Atlanta, Georgia, in August 2013, in which an armed man entered the school and fired his weapon. No one was hurt in the incident, as the school clerk, Antoinette Tuff, was able to talk the shooter down and prevent him from harming anyone.

While DeKalb Elementary is not a blood-soaked action film, it is nevertheless a gripping and intense drama that will leave viewers emotionally shaken. It is a timely reminder of the need for greater awareness of mental health issues and responsible gun control policies in our society.

DeKalb Elementary is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.