13th

The film '13th' dives into the systemic issues of racial inequality embedded within the American legal system, arguing that slavery was never truly abolished but rather evolved into a new form of control through the prison-industrial complex. It exposes the ways in which laws, policies, and societal attitudes have historically and continue to disproportionately target and incarcerate Black individuals.

• Provides a comprehensive and compelling argument for the historical roots and modern manifestations of racial inequality in the American criminal justice system.
• Features insightful interviews with scholars, activists, and politicians, offering diverse perspectives on the issue of mass incarceration.
• Presents complex historical and sociological information in an accessible and engaging way through powerful visuals and concise explanations.
• Highlights the role of media and political rhetoric in perpetuating harmful stereotypes and shaping public perception of crime and race.

Fun Facts

• The title refers to the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery 'except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted'.
• Ava DuVernay, the director, initially set out to make a documentary about the American prison system but later broadened its scope to include the historical and social context of race in America.
• Several of the interviewees featured in the film, such as Michelle Alexander and Bryan Stevenson, are leading voices in the movement for criminal justice reform.