Black Boys

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2:50

Black Boys

2020

1h 35m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Marking 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, "Black Boys" illuminates the full spectrum of Black male humanity in America through an intimate, intergenerational conversation at the intersection of sports, education and criminal justice. The film elevates an urgent and timely reckoning on identity, opportunity and equity to reimagine success for Black males in America while also touching on their vulnerability and resilience in the face of dehumanization.

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Maya Phillips

New York Times

Despite trying so hard to prove the worth of Black boys, the film makes anonymous examples of them.

Sep 10, 2020

Full Review

Jeanine T. Abraham

Black Girl Nerds

Director Sonia Lowmans keen eye builds a compelling structure throughout the film as she invites her subjects to share the challenges and traumas of living in a country that seems to loathe Black folks.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 25, 2022

Full Review

Carey-Ann Pawsey

Orca Sound

The film challenges us to do what it takes to give black boys and men the same opportunities open to everyone else.

Oct 5, 2020

Full Review

Lauren Zupkus

TV Guide

By pointing out these differences in unpretentious yet informative tones, Black Boys celebrates Black youth and hopefully inspires viewers to do what they can to support them.

Sep 25, 2020

Full Review

Melissa Camacho

Common Sense Media

It's an insightful documentary, and one that calls for more awareness about how racism persists in America, and why it's important for everyone to be part of the conversation.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 18, 2020

Full Review

Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

Black Boys is a pants down around your ankles cinematic conversation centered around how the Mind, Body and Voices of Black Boys have been circumvented for centuries from the fantabulous Sonia Lowman being brave enough to confront her own "white fear.'

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Member

Moving and powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/10/20

Full Review

Audience Member

I went through a roller coaster of emotions during this well thought out and touching film. I hope people watch it so it makes you look at the world through a different lens and that's enough for me. A beautiful and well done film broken into very thoughtful chapters and great sound mixing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is comprised of four sections that depict the experience of Blackness in the United States, and examines the fingerprints of history, violence, racism, and modern social life on Black communities. It's a restrained and poignant piece that lets viewers arrive at their own conclusions by seeing the world through the eyes of black men and boys. The Bodies section of the film particularly resonated with me, as a person who taught History and briefly studied "body" as an analytical lens in graduate school. The best part about the film, for me at least, is just hearing all of these men and kids sharing their experiences, because it's not something they'd normally share in casual conversation with white people (me, and the target audience).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This important film dives into the root causes of the negative, and often dangerous, stereotypes that plague Black boys and men in American society. Director Sonia Lowman and the entire team created a beautiful, meaningful documentary that should be seen by all. Our society needs to listen and learn from the stories of these young men.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Life changing! Beautifully made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I cannot recommend this film enough. So so so important in our society and exceptional storytelling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

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Sonia Lowman

Director

Elliot V. Kotek

Producer

Sonia Lowman

Producer

Jon-Thomas Royston

Producer

Chad Williamson

Producer

Steve Clark

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Marking 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, "Black Boys" illuminates the full spectrum of Black male humanity in America through an intimate, intergenerational conversation at the intersection of sports, education and criminal justice. The film elevates an urgent and timely reckoning on identity, opportunity and equity to reimagine success for Black males in America while also touching on their vulnerability and resilience in the face of dehumanization.

Director: Sonia Lowman
Producer: Elliot V. Kotek, Sonia Lowman, Jon-Thomas Royston, Chad Williamson
Production Co: Nation of Artists , Never Whisper Justice
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2020
Runtime: 1h 35m

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