Girls State

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1:48

Girls State

Released Apr 5

1h 36m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

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60 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A look at what American democracy would look like in the hands of teenage girls. Young female leaders from wildly different backgrounds navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.

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Critics Consensus

Girls State continues the conversation started with Boys State, finding further cause for hope and concern as a new generation prepares for public service.

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Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Autostraddle

Girls State isn’t quite the explosive takedown and critique of the program that it could be, but it does explore the program's limitations cogently...

Apr 22, 2024

Full Review

Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

The politics lean conservative, but the transformations that occur go beyond ideology.

Apr 18, 2024

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

I wish there had been a little bit more of the get-togethers so we could hear them talk a little more informally, but it's a fascinating movie.

Apr 17, 2024

Full Review

Abe Friedtanzer

Awards Buzz

A stirring documentary that shows the power of politics put to use in the right way and the value of a cooperative mindset when dealing with sensitive subjects.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 27, 2024

Full Review

Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

[There's a] smart, impassioned, high stakes spirit that permeates the new documentary, Girls State.

May 2, 2024

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

Girls State feels slight and surprisingly unaware; even its own subjects seem determined to break free of the narrative that the camp and the directors are trying to box them in to. Compared to Boys State, this is a surprising misfire.

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 30, 2024

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Alia A

This film did an excellent job of showcasing all the girls in the program, giving each of them a meaningful voice. I also appreciated how it highlighted the contradictions within the Girl State itself. While the goal was to empower girls and address gender inequities, the film revealed how the organization itself struggled with similar issues of inequality. This added a layer of complexity to the story, showing that even spaces meant to uplift women can sometimes perpetuate the very problems they aim to solve.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

Full Review

Jonah K

I found this doc to be interesting as wee see the film slowly change stories, from being about Girls State, to how Girls State differs from Boys State. Also an interesting program so cool to see how a camp like that actually works.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

Full Review

Brad O

The doc shows the thoughtfulness, social skills, and engagement of the girls in the process. I loved the profile of Ms. Worthmore and how she ran for Governor, exposed the systematic differences between the program (while learning some hard lessons herself about the programs), and won a scholarship. The political subject matter and their arguments are secondary to the engagement they showed by doing their best and being earnest in their approach.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

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Albert W

Interesting. Shows how the younger generation needs maturing and better education when it comes to certain moral issues (not surprising).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Tom F

Like the earlier Boys State, it’s consistently interesting but never really pops.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/11/24

Full Review

Melissa B

Ready to get mad?? The documentarians did a great job of centering the girls involved in Girls State while also pointing out blatant discrepancies in the program. The girls in the film were excellent. I'm mostly infuriated at the system they were operating within.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/25/24

Full Review

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Amanda McBaine

Director

Jesse Moss

Director

Amanda McBaine

Producer

Jesse Moss

Producer

Nicole Stott

Executive Producer

Jonathan Silberberg

Executive Producer

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Girls State: Trailer

1:48

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Synopsis

A look at what American democracy would look like in the hands of teenage girls. Young female leaders from wildly different backgrounds navigate an immersive experiment to build a government from the ground up.

Director: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Producer: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Distributor: Apple Original Films
Production Co: Apple Original Films, Mile End Films, Concordia Studio
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 5, 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m

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