Available on Netflix since 2017, this excellent documentary from Ava DuVernay, the director of the memorable and equally impressive Selma, caught my attention for its Oscar nomination and compelling subject matter. It took me until early 2020 to watch it, based on many recommendations, but the subject matter hadn’t lost any relevance or importance in that time.
Focusing on the statistic that at some point in their lives one quarter of black Americans will spend time in jail, it takes great pains to demonstrate how this is in effect a continuation of slavery in some form. Many inmates are interviewed, together with talking heads from all levels of officialdom, backed up with some eye watering evidence and shocking figures, well presented in easy to digest but never patronising ways.
The argument points to the fact that many inmates are serving time often for petty crimes, or longer sentences with dubious cases and judgements that do not seem in line with reasonable justice. Whilst serving time they are invariably used as free labour, creating parts or doing menial tasks for the military, major car manufacturers and the like, facilitating huge profits for entrepreneurs who exist in a protective bubble of economic stability and privilege. It illustrates an emotional point that almost becomes a plea for an uprising. And as so will surely prove a vital document to future generations who will look back on this atrocity with shame and outrage.
Clearly, the outrage already exists, and the counter-arguments to this vile system seem weak in response. Ultimately, little is said by way of suggesting a solution, other than to raise awareness of its root cause, which is poverty, inner city degredation, segregation and the difficulty that remains for many ethnic groups to rise out of the doldrums of White supremacy in the good ‘ol U S of A.
In the entire issue, I can only sympathise, not empathise – I am neither black nor American. What do I really know about it? Well, a little more after watching this. It makes me sad, if not quite incited to blood rage. I can only shake my head and lament that one more aspect of the American dream is a lie. As a film it is a success because of its passionate focus and simplicity of presentation. To what degree it is entirely balanced on all aspects of such an obviously tortuous and contentious subject is open to debate. But, nevertheless, an intelligent mind will surely take from this smart documentary enough facts and an intuitive conclusion to say, yes, something must be done. And fast, before this society completely fails and burns itself into out and out anarchy. Only a thin veneer of capitalism shields this reality from our consciences.
Interestingly, 13th lost out to OJ: Made In America for the Oscar win, which is fair enough. But consider them both side by side and begin to understand how the land of the free is anything but a Disneyland fairytale. Recommended viewing for all serious adults. The rating below falls below 70 only because the film chooses to be deliberately unflashy, thereby dropping points in certain areas, but don’t be put off. In the sphere of mature documentaries this is a very solid effort indeed.
Decinemal Rating: 67
The Wasteland 