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The Bad Kids

Play trailer Poster for The Bad Kids 2016 1h 41m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Located in an impoverished Mojave Desert community, Black Rock Continuation High School is one of California's alternative schools for students at risk of dropping out. Every student here has fallen so far behind in credits that they have no hope of earning a diploma at a traditional high school. Black Rock is their last chance. This film is an observational documentary that chronicles one extraordinary principal's mission to realize the potential of these students.
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The Bad Kids

Critics Reviews

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Daphne Howland Village Voice 12/22/2016
Desert flowers can be hard to spot, but are often distinctly beautiful, and The Bad Kids has them in focus. Go to Full Review
Diego Semerene Slant Magazine 12/20/2016
3.5/4
Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe's documentary raises important questions about the limits of pedagogy. Go to Full Review
Justin Lowe The Hollywood Reporter 12/20/2016
An insightful, affecting film that casts sympathetic light on a neglected educational sector. Go to Full Review
Anthony Salveggi Paste Magazine 01/06/2017
7.6/10
An affecting and enlightening documentary, The Bad Kids offers a fly-on-the-wall look at efforts to help students graduate high school despite their personal struggles and looming sense of hopelessness. Go to Full Review
David Noh Film Journal International 12/22/2016
Students on the brink of disaster are the subject of this admirably heartfelt and uncondescending documentary. Go to Full Review
Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune 12/20/2016
3/4
Determined teachers fight long odds in The Bad Kids, a slice-of-life documentary of the struggles in a high school for at-risk youth in California's Mojave Desert. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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01/08/2019 Fascinating and moving. See more 08/10/2017 Interesante documental sobre la vida de los adolescentes provenientes de familias fracasadas (drogas, alcohol, violencia) que reciben su ultima oportunidad de graduarse de secundaria en esta escuela dirigida por una increíble mujer, Vonda Viland que cuenta con un grupo de profesores de admirar. El material es muy bueno pero no llama mucho la atención para llevarlo al cine, no parece bien enmarcado, las historias se van desarrollando cada una por su lado sin la suficiente profundidad. Sin embargo es muy interesante pero para ver en casita. See more 06/09/2017 This Documentry shows the student's and staff's struggles with getting from almost dropping out to graduating. 89.9% are from families that are below the poverty line. The lady that runs this school and the staff are the true heroes of modern society. See more 04/14/2017 Documentary shows the work of teachers to help kids graduate despite what is happening around them that impacts on their chances to succeed. Amazing footage and the kids are wonderful. Standout is principal Viland. Probably would have liked if producers had interviewed kids or teachers directly, but in a way that would have been easy way out. Working from "fly-on-the-wall" approach ensures realism (as far as possible). See more greg r @itsgregsworld 03/28/2017 Heros. Fucking Heros!!!! See more 03/22/2017 3/25/17 PBS Independent Lens An up close and intimate look at kids who are struggling in so many ways from home life, school life and social life and the dedicated educators who lay it all on the line for them. The good news is that a school like Black Rock exists, the bad news is that it is full and has a waiting list. It would have been interesting to learn how some of the kids who graduated did and where they are now in their lives See more Read all reviews
The Bad Kids

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Movie Info

Synopsis Located in an impoverished Mojave Desert community, Black Rock Continuation High School is one of California's alternative schools for students at risk of dropping out. Every student here has fallen so far behind in credits that they have no hope of earning a diploma at a traditional high school. Black Rock is their last chance. This film is an observational documentary that chronicles one extraordinary principal's mission to realize the potential of these students.
Director
Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe
Producer
Keith Fulton
Production Co
Low Key Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 22, 2016, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.4K
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
DTS, SDDS, Dolby Digital
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