Joey Magidson
When Ava DuVernay explored the history of racial inequality in the United States through the prison industrial complex in 13th, it marked a bold move towards documentary filmmaking for the director. DuVernay is still known for narrative works, but her latest film, 14th, is another documentary, this time following up her prior one with an even more urgent warning. The movie, a sequel of sorts, is informed by her prior flick, but also manages to stand on its own. Playing as the Closing Night selection of the 64th New York Film Festival, it’s a work that hopes to make an impact before it’s too late.
14th feels a bit more scattershot at times than 13th, but it also vibrates with more urgency. Last time, the film felt like it hoped to wake audiences up to what could happen from inaction to injustice. Here, it’s more of a slap in the face to what’s already happened, what’s happening now, and the horrific things that could happen if the path is not corrected. You may not leave the flick knowing exactly what to do, which is an issue, but you’ll know action is needed. Beyond that, you’ll just be enraged at what we’ve allowed to happen in our country.
The documentary details how the articles of the 14th Amendment, which were ratified in the aftermath of the Civil War, are now under systematic attack by the current administration in charge. Whereas last time, DuVernay argued that loopholes in the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment allowed for the mass incarceration of African America citizens, here we see how the 14th Amendment’s principles of birthright citizenship, as well as due process, equal protection under the law, and the restriction of heads of state to engage in acts of insurrection are being challenged. What began with exploratory chinks in the armor now feel like an all out war on these facets of our country. Looking at the era around up until today, we see what we might be in for if this doesn’t change. The January 6th segment, which lays bare just how clearly the 14th Amendment is being ignored, will leave you clenching your fists in anger.
Ava DuVernay uses her narrative filmmaking skills to keep the film moving, directing it not like a thriller, but with an ever present sense of the urgency at hand. The talking heads are varied and represent a range of the cultural and political world (and even cross the political aisle). The visuals and filmmaking resemble 13th, so if you were a fan of her prior documentary, you’re likely to get a lot out of this one, too. That being said, this time there’s an AI look to it that’s a bit disappointing to see. Between 13th, Origin (which was deeply underrated, as I detailed in my review here), and now 14th, DuVernay has found academic ways to potentially affect change. Selma may still be her crowning achievement, but she sure can make a flick that’s in conversation with history. She certainly is unafraid to ask the big questions.
14th closes out NYFF on a sobering note. No one will mistake this documentary for entertainment, but DuVernay is too talented a storyteller to make this one note or dry. Playing on Netflix will allow the doc to reach wide audiences, potentially across the political spectrum, and that’s essential for the work to make any sort of a difference. For our sake, I sure hope that it does.
SCORE: ★★★
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