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The Boys of Baraka

Play trailer Poster for The Boys of Baraka R 2005 1h 24m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 46 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.
The Boys of Baraka

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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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 Annlee Ellingson CineWomen Ewing and Grady’s special talent is gaining the trust of their protagonists and sharing such intimate moments with us that we care. Sep 13, 2025 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews
The Boys of Baraka

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Boys of Baraka

The Boys of Baraka (2005) The Boys of Baraka (2005) The Boys of Baraka (2005) The Boys of Baraka (2005) View more photos

Movie Info

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