Boys State

"Democracy isn't a spectator sport."

2020 1h 50m EN

👍

7.1

SOLID

★7.1TMDB · 117

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

This raucous journey into the heart of democracy captures an unusual rite of passage: 1,100 teenage boys from across Texas coming together to build a representative government from the ground up.

“Democracy isn't a spectator sport.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Ben Feinstein
Self
Steven Garza
Self
Robert MacDougall
Self
René Otero
Self
Eddy Proietti Conti
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Amanda McBaine
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 6 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Boys / Girls State Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Amanda McBaine, shot by Thorsten Thielow. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by T. Griffin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jeff Gilbert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ben Feinstein and Steven Garza and Robert MacDougall carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Amanda McBaine directs. Thorsten Thielow behind the camera. T. Griffin scores. Jeff Gilbert cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 6 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
3Part of the "Boys / Girls State Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Amanda McBaine, shot by Thorsten Thielow. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by T. Griffin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Jeff Gilbert shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Ben Feinstein and Steven Garza and Robert MacDougall carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "Democracy isn't a spectator sport.".
10IMDB entry: tt11095742 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Thorsten Thielow
Original score: T. Griffin
Editing: Jeff Gilbert
Runtime: 110 min · 1h 50m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Boys State (2020)

Awards

Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Part of

Boys / Girls State Collection

In an unusual experiment, thousands of teenagers join together to build a representative government from the ground up.

Also by

Amanda McBaine

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Selected frames

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

SWITCH.2020-08-13
★ 9/10
Few films this year had me on the edge of my seat as much as 'Boy State'. By the end, I was gasping, crying, laughing and cheering at its audacity, its energy, its ferocity and its humanity. This is documentary filmmaking at its best, finding an incredible premise and remarkable protagonists engaged in an unbelievable story that is so much bigger than itself. Even just rewatching the trailer before writing this review, my breathing quickened and my eyes welled up and my skin prickled just remembering the experience of it. 'Boys State' is an absolute revelation, a blockbuster of a documentary, a rollercoaster ride of endless shocks and surprises, and easily one of the best films of the year. - Daniel Lammin Read Daniel's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-boys-state-a-revelation-on-the-power-of-politics-and-young-minds

Production companies