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17 Blocks

Play trailer Poster for 17 Blocks 2019 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Two decades of film footage shows the Sanford family struggling with addiction and gun violence before finding love and acceptance.

Critics Reviews

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Selome Hailu Austin Chronicle 02/25/2021
3.5/5
Some moments would have benefitted from a more nuanced and creative soundtrack rather than trite piano tracks that tell you how to feel. Still, even when the direction is heavy-handed, the Sanfords are just too compelling to ignore. Go to Full Review Angie Han FilmWeek (LAist) 02/20/2021
It's a vey sensitive, nonjudgmental exploration of some very tricky topics that's made all the more powerful by the intimacy of its perspective. Go to Full Review Claudia Puig FilmWeek (LAist) 02/20/2021
It's heart-wrenching and revelatory. Go to Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture 06/05/2022
7/10
Rothbart is an accomplished filmmaker in his own right and certainly takes great care to assemble this footage in a way that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities this family has endured, but he also doesn’t seek to judge them. Go to Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue 01/07/2022
While illustrating the hardships facing low-income families virtually in the shadow of lawmakers, on a personal level the film also finds hope amid the heartbreak. Go to Full Review Suzette Smith The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 03/06/2021
You can't take your eyes off 17 Blocks for even a second. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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greg r @itsgregsworld 07/18/2022 A beautiful and heartbreaking look at a family, Their choices, their circumstances, and resilience. Filmed over two decades. Stick this one out until the end. See more david f 04/18/2021 A riveting documentary about a family in Washington D.C. filmed over 20 plus years. See more 02/20/2021 This raw found-footage piece is an essential viewing on class and race in the United States. Honest, heartfelt, and intimate, this film truly lets you into the lives of the Sanford-Durant family, who have been brave enough to share their story with the world. See more Read all reviews
17 Blocks

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Davy Rothbart

Director

Davy Rothbart

Writer

Jennifer Tiexiera

Writer

Jennifer Tiexiera

Executive Producer

Sheila Nevins

Executive Producer

Michael B. Clark

Producer

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17 Blocks

17 Blocks (2019) 17 Blocks (2019) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Two decades of film footage shows the Sanford family struggling with addiction and gun violence before finding love and acceptance.
Director
Davy Rothbart
Producer
Michael B. Clark, Rachel Dengiz
Screenwriter
Davy Rothbart, Jennifer Tiexiera
Production Co
Beachside Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 30, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 30, 2021
Runtime
1h 36m