The latest emotional documentary, “Daughters,” from Netflix, is a unique storytelling experience. Directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, the film provides an intimate look into the lives of Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and a’Ana over eight years. The documentary captures their journey as they prepare for a heartwarming Daddy-Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers.
Throughout the film, the girls candidly share their aspirations, dreams, and the profound emotional impact of their father’s absence, exacerbated by the challenges of virtual visits. Their resilience and wisdom beyond their years shine as they navigate through feelings of heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty. “Daughters” illuminates the complexities of familial bonds affected by the harsh barriers of the criminal justice system and underscores the significance of family unity in fostering community healing.
As we meet the girls, some of whom have harsher realities than others. The documentary doesn’t hold back from letting these girls share their feelings. I commend the filmmakers for using the angle they did, as it helps with the realism of the situation when we see their incarnated fathers. The filmmakers make the wise choice to never reveal what some of the men did and instead choose to focus on the details of the 10-week seminar on responsible parenting for the incarnated that culminates with them treating their daughters to a night on the town in the prison gymnasium with dinner, dancing and photos. Seeing these men come together and help each other out is simply awe-inspiring.
I want to advise potential viewers to have the tissues ready as “Daughters” doesn’t necessarily have a happy end. As the night ends as an audience, we feel all the emotions as the girl leaves their fathers, not knowing when they will see them again. That said, the tears are earned and never forced. While I am a boy dad, “Daughters” is easily one of the best documentaries I’ve seen this year, and I highly recommend it.
Final Grade: A
“Daughters” arrives on Netflix on Wednesday, August 14.
You know the voice. The moment Michael Marshall starts singing the hook in Luniz’s “I Got 5 on It,” anyone who grew up in the nineties knows exactly what time it is. However, nearly a decade before that 1995 hip-hop classic, Marshall was already responsible for another instantly recognizable vocal.
There are some albums you revisit because of nostalgia, and then there are albums you return to because they remind you just how high the standard used to be. Anita Baker’s Rapture falls into that second category. Released in 1986, the album did more than make Baker a star. It helped define what sophisticated, grown R&B could sound like without losing any soul, sensuality, or personality.
Gwen Stefani had already established herself as a significant force with No Doubt when she released her debut solo album, *Love. Angel. Music. Baby* in 2004. This week, while my iPod was on shuffle, one of my favorite songs from that project, “The Real Thing,” came on. Although the original version has an upbeat new-wave feel, the Slow Jam Mix takes it to another level and is the perfect choice for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.