Let the Little Light Shine

Released Aug 12, 2022

1h 22m

Documentary

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When city planners impose unwanted changes, one person can easily feel helpless -- but a group of people with a common cause just might find enough collective strength to fight the power. LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE tells the story of the parents, students, administrators and students of Chicago's National Teachers Academy, a high-performing public elementary school in an African-American neighborhood, who join forces in an effort to do just that. When the powers that be announce plans to phase out NTA's current K-8 curriculum and transform it into a high school drawing students from other schools, the community senses gentrification at work and gets organized. Kevin Shaw's riveting documentary captures the struggle to save NTA through all its highs and lows -- introducing us to charismatic young leaders taking a stand to protect their academic futures.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

This is ultimately a very feel-good movie.

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Matt Fagerholm

RogerEbert.com

An explosively powerful and superbly crafted documentary.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

Dmitry Samarov

Chicago Reader

It would have been easy to cast heroes and villains in black and white, but Shaw’s film shows the whole spectrum.

Aug 18, 2022

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

Chicago native Kevin Shaw's stirring documentary recounts the struggle of the city's majority-Black National Teacher's Academy to stay open after a rash of elementary school closings in Black and Latino neighborhoods.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 3, 2023

Full Review

Matt Roush

TV Insider

Let the Little Light Shine reminds us that when a child’s education is at stake, no one can afford to stay on the sidelines.

Dec 17, 2022

Full Review

Julian Roman

MovieWeb

Let the Little Light Shine tells a powerfully emotional, David versus Goliath story of a prestigious school's struggle to survive. It strikes at the heart of divisive issues. Racism and gentrification stew in the pot of Chicago's malaise.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 29, 2022

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Synopsis

When city planners impose unwanted changes, one person can easily feel helpless -- but a group of people with a common cause just might find enough collective strength to fight the power. LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE tells the story of the parents, students, administrators and students of Chicago's National Teachers Academy, a high-performing public elementary school in an African-American neighborhood, who join forces in an effort to do just that. When the powers that be announce plans to phase out NTA's current K-8 curriculum and transform it into a high school drawing students from other schools, the community senses gentrification at work and gets organized. Kevin Shaw's riveting documentary captures the struggle to save NTA through all its highs and lows -- introducing us to charismatic young leaders taking a stand to protect their academic futures.

Director: Kevin Shaw
Producer: Steve James, Chris White, Erika Dilday, Sally Jo Fifer, Leslie Fields-Cruz
Distributor: Argot Pictures
Production Co: ITVS International
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 12, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 22m

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