The Boys of Baraka

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The Boys of Baraka

R

Released Nov 30, 2005

1h 24m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

This documentary follows a group of African-American parents in a violent Baltimore ghetto, who in 2002 choose to send their junior high boys to a boarding school in Kenya, believing that the children stand a better chance of a stable future in Africa than roaming Baltimore's poverty-stricken streets. Twenty boys attend, and when they return for break, the experiment seems worth the effort. However, with Kenya facing terrorist attacks, the group must assess where the greater risk lies.

Critics Consensus

The interviewed boys are compelling subjects, but the documentary would be better if the filmmakers had provided more factual details.

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

There are difficulties along the way, none of them slighted in this award-winning documentary, as well as a surprise at the end that's as sobering to the viewer as it is to the children.

Jan 17, 2018

Full Review

Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

It's galling to think American kids must go abroad for a chance to turn their lives around. But it's also inspiring to see the changes that are possible.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 14, 2006

Full Review

John Hartl

Seattle Times

A potent mixture of heartbreak and crushing irony.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 3, 2006

Full Review

Jorge Ignacio Castillo

IONCINEMA.com

The Boys of Baraka succeeds in breaking some stereotypes on kids living in the projects, particularly by introducing young men with the will, but not the means, to twist destiny's arm.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 21, 2020

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

The Boys of Baraka should force even a hardened Bush supporter to see what phrases like "the bigotry of low expectations" and "no child left behind" translate into when subjected to the feckless lottery of the political marketplace.

May 7, 2020

Full Review

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

Raw emotions, both uplifting and depressing, are captured.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 13, 2008

Full Review

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Bulgantamir B

Wow great movie , fantastic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/24

Full Review

Bahad j

This idea of the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Liked the concept and idea. Very phenomenal movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Geke g

Rachel Grady deserves a oscar just for this masterpiece

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie! although the school is closed now, you can tell that they really changed. It was serious at times, but also comedic. Most of the four boys from Baltimore were able to really get their lives together.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another phenomenal documentary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

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Heidi Ewing

Director

Rachel Grady

Director

Rachel Grady

Producer

Heidi Ewing

Producer

J.J. McGeehan

Original Music

Tony Hardmon

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

This documentary follows a group of African-American parents in a violent Baltimore ghetto, who in 2002 choose to send their junior high boys to a boarding school in Kenya, believing that the children stand a better chance of a stable future in Africa than roaming Baltimore's poverty-stricken streets. Twenty boys attend, and when they return for break, the experiment seems worth the effort. However, with Kenya facing terrorist attacks, the group must assess where the greater risk lies.

Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Producer: Rachel Grady, Heidi Ewing
Distributor: ThinkFilm
Production Co: Loki Films
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 2005, Original
Release Date (DVD): Feb 5, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $322.4K
Runtime: 1h 24m