Louis C.K. has released an interesting documentary on his website in what could be his first foray into film distribution.

The documentary, titled Check It, is a look into the culture a black LGBT gang, following four young adults in Washington, D.C. who form a street gang to combat violence against them. It premiered last April at the Tribeca Film Festival, where C.K. viewed it. It later was screened at several other film festivals over the year. The film is directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer and executive produced by Steve Buscemi. (Note: In a rebooted trailer, Louis C.K. is also credited as an executive producer now.)

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In an email to subscribers, C.K. said, “It knocked me right over. It was an amazing emotional ride. It was funny and moving, I learned a lot and it gave me a lot to think about after. They started this gang to protect each other. They made a family where they didn’t have one. It’s not an easy film. It takes on life right where the rubber hits the road. What made me love it was just the kids themselves. They are like any kids, like anyone’s children. They are trying to cope against terrible odds, they are funny and full of hope and life. Their lives are difficult and complex. They are very generous in sharing this with the filmmakers and you, if you watch the film.”

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Answering any type of question on why he’s distributing the film, he wrote, “Look, I know this isn’t what you’re expecting from me. Nor am I the guy you’re expecting to get this film from. I guess that’s why I’m doing this. When I saw this film, I knew that no one I know will ever see it. Documentaries are MUCH harder to make than the things that I do and they are FAR more expensive to the filmmakers in terms of their time and their lives and their emotional energy. And nobody much watches them. Those who do watch documentaries are usually people who are likely to be interested in the subject they cover already. But what a great value there is in showing people films about something that just isn’t on their radar. So that’s why I asked Steve, and Wren Arthur, who produced the film, if I could host “Check It” on my site so that lots of people can see it who may not have had it put in front of them.”

You can watch a trailer for Check It below and purchase the full film on Louis C.K.’s website for $5.

Here’s the official trailer (without C.K.’s commentary) below as well: