“Daughters,” one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year, is releasing its first trailer ahead of its must-see Netflix debut on August 14.
Directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, the film offers a poignant glimpse into a unique father-daughter dance held within the confines of a Washington, D.C., prison. It documents the emotional and transformative experiences of incarcerated men and their daughters as they bond through this special event. The film has already garnered significant attention, winning both the Audience Award for U.S. Documentary and the Festival Favorite Award at Sundance.
Watch the Trailer Below
Following its premiere at Sundance, “Daughters” continued to receive accolades, including the Documentary Achievement Award at the Miami Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature at the Bentonville Film Festival, and audience awards at both the Full Frame Festival in Durham, NC, and the Cinetopia Film Festival in Ann Arbor, MI.
“A moving portrait of empathy and forgiveness, ‘Daughters’ traces an eight-year documentary journey by filmmaker Natalie Rae and social change advocate Angela Patton,” reads the synopsis. “The film intimately follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. Speaking openly about their aspirations, dreams, and the emotional toll of their fathers’ absence, compounded by the constraints of virtual visits, these girls reveal a profound wisdom and resilience beyond their years. As they navigate heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty, they seize a precious opportunity to forge connections. ‘Daughters’ sheds light on the complexities of familial bonds strained by the unforgiving barriers of the criminal justice system and emphasizes that the foundation of community healing lies within the family unit.”
The film boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Kerry Washington and author Jessica Seinfeld. “This film does such a beautiful job of bridging the idea that fathers need their daughters and daughters need their fathers,” Washington said at Sundance. “And this unjust system that we call the criminal justice system, it really separates families and tears them apart. The film is about the need for us to pause these systems and treat each other like humans.”
Aubrey Smith, who participated in the dance at just five years old, reflected on her experience: “When I saw the movie… and I looked at the dance, I realized how much it really meant to me that I got to touch my father and see him because now I don’t really see him often since he’s far away. So, the fact that I got to dance with him, it’s just a memory I’m going to keep forever.”
“Daughters” has not only captured the hearts of festival-goers but also challenged perceptions about incarceration. With its upcoming Netflix release, the film is poised to reach an even wider audience, continuing its journey of empathy and transformation.