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Homeroom (2021 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Homeroom' is a 2021 American documentary film directed and produced by Peter Nicks. The film, which is the final chapter of Nicks' 'Oakland' trilogy (following 'The Waiting Room' and 'The Force'), follows the lives of the Oakland High School class of 2020 as they try to make the most of their final year in high school amidst district budget cuts and ultimately the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests. Ryan Coogler and Davis Guggenheim, the latter of whom made a similar film, 'Waiting for "Superman"', were executive producers on this film.

The film was premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 29, 2021, where it was the inaugural winner of the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award - U.S. Documentary. It was released on Hulu on August 12, 2021

Synopsis



Oakland as a tantalizing case study. In a city that struggles with rising crime and health care woes, its public school systems are not exactly equipped to prepare youth for the travails of young adulthood.

Release



The film premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 29, 2021. On April 20, 2021, Hulu acquired the film's U.S. distribution rights and set it for an August 12, 2021 release.

Critical reception



The review round-up at 'Rotten Tomatoes' for 'Homeroom' had 85% of critics recommending the film, based on 46 reviews and an average rating of 7 out of 10. The critics consensus reads: "'Homeroom' offers an encouraging -- and engaging -- look at young people preparing to leave high school behind and shape the future." Daniel Fienberg of 'The Hollywood Reporter' wrote "You don't need heavy-handed foreshadowing to know that the class of 2020 is the COVID Class, to realize that the prom the bright-faced teens are looking forward to will never happen, that the graduation they're aiming for will be virtual, that the production of 'In the Heights' scheduled to open on March 20 is never going to see its curtain raised. 'Homeroom' is, in that sense, an inspiring tragedy, a portrait of resilient youth in unprecedented circumstances, the sort of thing that hasn't yet oversaturated Sundance, but probably eventually will.

Brian Tallerico of 'RogerEbert.com' wrote:

"Nicks takes a verit approach to his subject, documenting students through the ups and downs of their final year in high school at a distance, letting them tell their own stories. The focus of the first half falls on a debate that would echo Defund the Police months later as students and community members fight the board about removing police officers from Oakland High School. Like a bit too much of Homeroom, I could have watched these board meetings for hours, Wiseman-style. The debate over adults who think that officers keep their kids safe opposite students telling them that uniforms dont equal safety for a lot of young people is fascinating. And its wonderful to hear these young people discuss their concerns so openly, even if a lot of them seem to often fall on deaf ears."


Lisa Kennedy of 'Variety' wrote:

"The Oakland students and director Nicks rise to the demands of overlapping crises. With its vibrant if abbreviated portraits and final scenes of burgeoning activism, Homeroom suggest that kids may not be alright, but they are very much on the case."


See also



*'Waiting for "Superman"'

* Oakland High School

* Oakland Unified School District

* Education in the United States

* Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education

References




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