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The Boys of Baraka

Play trailer Poster for The Boys of Baraka R 2005 1h 24m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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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 01/17/2018
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. Go to Full Review Bruce Westbrook Houston Chronicle 04/14/2006
3/4
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. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times 03/03/2006
3/4
A potent mixture of heartbreak and crushing irony. Go to Full Review Annlee Ellingson CineWomen Sep 13
Ewing and Grady’s special talent is gaining the trust of their protagonists and sharing such intimate moments with us that we care. Go to Full Review Jorge Ignacio Castillo IONCINEMA.com 11/21/2020
3/5
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. Go to Full Review David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/07/2020
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bulgantamir B 08/02/2024 Wow great movie , fantastic See more Bahad j 08/01/2024 This idea of ​​the filmmaker made the movie more accessible to more people. See more Munkhchimeg T 07/29/2024 Liked the concept and idea. Very phenomenal movie See more Geke g 07/29/2024 Rachel Grady deserves a oscar just for this masterpiece See more 04/28/2022 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. See more 03/14/2017 Another phenomenal documentary. See more 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) 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