Daughters (Netflix) Story :-
The documentary follows four young girls as they prepare for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers at a Washington D.C. jail. The film captures the girls sharing their hopes, dreams, and the emotional impact of their fathers’ absence, exacerbated by the limitations of virtual visits. Over the course of eight years, filmmaker Natalie Rae and social change advocate Angela Patton document this poignant journey.
Daughters (Netflix) Release Date, Trailor, Songs, Cast :-
| Release Date | 14 August 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Duration | 1h 42min |
| Director | Angela Patton, Natalie Rae |
| Cinematography | Michael Fernandez |
| Music | Kelsey Lu |
| Producer | Justin Benoliel, Sam Bisbee, Laura Choi, James Cunningham, Kathryn Everett, Mindy Goldberg, Lisa Mazzotta |
| Production | Object & Animal, Black Box Management, Epoch Films |
| Certificate | 13+ |
Daughters (Netflix) Review :-
Daughters, masterfully directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, explores a program that has been reuniting young daughters with their incarcerated fathers for over a decade. While the premise of the Daddy Daughter Dance might seem overly sentimental or manipulative at first glance, the film transcends this with its compelling narratives and exceptional storytelling. Daughters emerges as a deeply emotional and powerful documentary.
Interestingly, it was only after the screening that I realized Patton was the driving force behind the event. The film could easily have focused on her, showcasing her TED Talks about the dance initiative or her work with Girls for a Change and Camp Diva, which she founded. Instead, Daughters presents a broader and more impactful view of the program and its profound effects.
While a film focusing solely on Patton’s role would indeed be compelling, what’s truly intriguing about Daughters is how Patton seamlessly integrates into the narrative. When she interacts with the mothers of the young girls or engages with the incarcerated fathers, she blends into the fabric of the story without overshadowing the central subjects. Her presence is empathetic and competent, yet she never eclipses the personal journeys of those featured. This balance is a testament to the directors’ skillful approach in ensuring that Patton’s involvement enhances rather than dominates the narrative.
The dance itself is presented as the culmination of extensive preparation by various participants. For the fathers, this involves sessions resembling a cross between group therapy and addiction counseling. It’s a “Parents Anonymous”-style setting that avoids overtly instructional or psychiatric tones, focusing instead on fostering a sense of community and connection. The fathers bond through their shared goal of reconnecting with their families, highlighting the depth of their commitment and the program’s emotional impact.
The documentary highlights the harsh realities of prison policies, where physical contact is strictly prohibited. Video calls within the facility are severely limited, and communication with the outside world is constrained by the cost of messaging tokens. Without delving into complex debates about crime and punishment, Daughters subtly reveals the profound significance of physical touch between parent and child in this context.
The film also wisely avoids oversimplifying issues of innocence and guilt. It neither glorifies nor diminishes the gravity of the circumstances that led these men to incarceration, many of whom are repeat offenders. Instead, Daughters approaches the cyclical nature of incarceration and generational trauma with nuance and sophistication. It presents the complexities of these human experiences, capturing the messiness and raw emotion of lives affected by systemic issues. Through the story of Murdock, who reflects on the origins of his nickname while seeking a meaningful connection with his daughter, the film conveys a poignant sense of hope and humanity amidst the challenges.
Daughters (Netflix) Trailor :-
We see young, enthusiastic girls brimming with excitement, untouched by the reality of the years they’ll spend apart from their fathers. In contrast, adolescent girls display a hardened demeanor, their expressions guarded by years of broken promises. The film captures moments of birthday celebrations filled with laughter, underscoring the absence of adult males at these events. The camera portrays these scenes as more than just joyful reunions, highlighting the deep complexities and profound damage in these relationships, some of which may seem beyond repair.
Remarkably, we are touched by scenes where hardened men teach each other to tie ties, many of whom have never had the chance to attend a prom and now need suits for the occasion. The film contrasts this with images of girls in pink sequined dresses and others simply seeking answers in the brief moments they have to reconnect with relatives they share blood with but have not been able to share much of their lives.
The fleeting moments of joy at the dance starkly contrast with the harsh reality of returning to an orange jumpsuit. This sentiment is equally felt by the young women who leave, fully aware of the reality awaiting them. The dance is, after all, a temporary escape, where the incarcerated momentarily imagine freedom and the daughters momentarily envision a “normal” relationship with their fathers. Daughters illustrates the deep ambivalence of these moments, emphasizing how time is the most valuable currency in prison life. For a few hours, the intimacy of family briefly overshadows the weight of a long sentence, and for some, this brief respite is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. For others, it serves as a precious memory to hold onto long after the music has ended.
Throughout the film, significant questions arise, both subtly and overtly, allowing the stories to unfold organically. The dance, held in 2019, offers a snapshot of the changes that have occurred in the young girls’ lives over several years. For some, their fathers’ lives remain unchanged, confined by their routines and the constraints of their sentences. For others, the dance represents a new beginning or, conversely, an event that has already receded into the past, with the father-daughter connection remaining as complex as ever.
Daughters is a remarkable documentary that masterfully navigates complex issues of race, culture, crime, and relationships, all while maintaining a sharp focus on its unique, intimate setting. It strikes an impressive balance, using these personal stories to offer profound, universal insights. With a blend of journalistic precision and emotionally rich storytelling, this film stands out as an exceptional piece of non-fiction.
The documentary provides an opportunity for Patton and her team to highlight their efforts with the Daddy Daughter Dance without resorting to self-promotion. Rather than glossing over the real challenges and obstacles, they ensure that the circumstances and emotions of everyone involved are portrayed with authenticity. Achieving this level of honesty and nuance is no small feat, and Daughters proves that these filmmakers have expertly mastered the craft.
