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Boys State

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2:26

Boys State

PG-13

Released Jul 31, 2020

1h 49m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

153 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A raucous journey into the heart of democracy captures an unusual rite of passage: 1,100 teenage boys from across Texas come together to build a representative government from the ground up.

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Critics Consensus

Startling, upsetting, and overall absorbing, Boys State strikingly depicts American political divisions -- and machinations -- taking root in the next generation.

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Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

Cinema has been noticeably light recently on blockbuster spectacle, but the sight of this malleable young man learning about himself in real time as the camera rolls can feel as wondrous as any special effects.

Nov 11, 2020

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

The experience is perfectly setting these kids up for what American democracy is -- it's about winning and losing, your party's success... Boys State, as a chronicle of this experience, accurately then also focuses on winning and losing.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 28, 2020

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Jo Livingstone

The New Republic

The documentary about a political boot camp is a depressingly accurate microcosm of the American electoral circus...helpful-if only as a cautionary tale about what extracurriculars not to enroll your kids in.

Aug 25, 2020

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Brandon Stanwyck

InSession Film

In the end, Boys State becomes an indictment of the whole American election process.

Jul 16, 2024

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Rory Doherty

InSession Film

It's one of the most brilliantly entertaining films of the year, and you'll find yourself ridiculously invested in its central gubernatorial campaign.

Jun 13, 2024

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

A terrifying and nihilistic portrait of the lengths that boys will go to assume power and the dangers it portends for American politics.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 30, 2024

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Daniel B

I don't know, watching some Texas kids act just as dumb as the adults, any one who finds politics interesting in the first place should have their head examined.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

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Leaburn O

Fascinating to see how reductively basic the political views of young Americans look to be, even going forward. Really depressing how loud mouth, jock culture isn't just a minority element. It is the defining essence of American youth culture which seems to feed into this civic sponsored mentality of winning at all costs. It's promoted by the respect for officials and government and American's supine deference to the myths of their allegedly unique democratic and liberal credentials. Never mind that those credentials can't hold up to proper scrutiny or comparison with other liberal democracies. It's a country that will remain politically divided and intransigent. The only individual who comes out of the film with any credit is Stephen and he seemed the only remotely sane and authentic person in amongst a field of psychos and morons. Sorry America, but I would have hoped for more from your youngest generations. Now I better understand that your reverence for the flag, officials, the army, constitution and liberal myths of the US, is all part of a rigid establishment indoctrination which hems creative and thoughtful discourse into the straightjacket of perpetuation with the lies that you're happy to swallow. What a sad way to use your freedom of speech and expression.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/12/23

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Adam C

Boys State beautifully highlights the next generation of America's leaders and puts real context behind one of the most selective educational programs in the US.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/23

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Audience Member

Heartwarming, intense and a definitely a film worth watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

A great illustration of how quickly and why mob mentality spreads. Chilling how some of those scenes are reminiscent of what happened in Charlottesville.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Taylor S

Wow this movie gave me hope! I thought we were teaching young men not to be men anymore but young gunners still got it! Amazing movie. Great energy. Must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/21

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Amanda McBaine

Director

Jesse Moss

Director

Jesse Moss

Producer

Amanda McBaine

Producer

Davis Guggenheim

Executive Producer

Jonathan Silberberg

Executive Producer

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Boys State: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

A raucous journey into the heart of democracy captures an unusual rite of passage: 1,100 teenage boys from across Texas come together to build a representative government from the ground up.

Director: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Producer: Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine
Production Co: Concordia Studio
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 14, 2020
Runtime: 1h 49m

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