17 Blocks

17 Blocks is a heartrending and powerful documentary that sensitively tells the story of an African American family living in urban America. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Davy Rothbart, the film features a somewhat unorthodox cast of 'real-world' actors with Cheryl Sanford, Emmanuel Durant Jr., and Chris Fedderson taking primary roles.

The film's title, 17 Blocks, draws from the geographical distance that separates the United States Capitol from the turbulent and crime-ridden neighborhood in Washington D.C. where the featured family lives, setting up the audience for the story's significant social undertones.

Primarily using two decades' worth of home video footage paired with contemporary interviews, the film brings us deep into the lives of the Sanford-Durant family. Cheryl Sanford, the matriarch, is a relentlessly caring single mother battling drug addiction and poverty while trying to provide a better life for her children.

Emmanuel Durant Jr. is the eldest son who grapples with his role in the household and his courage to avoid the pitfalls of his surroundings. Amidst afterschool basketball games, dramatic home videos of family gatherings, and candid scenes of home life, we get an intimate glimpse into Emmanuel's life confronting addiction, crime, family strife, and dreams of a better life.

A less central but no less critical character is Chris Fedderson, who plays a friend of the family and who, along with many others in this community, is deeply affected by the situation that Sanford's family faces.

At its core, 17 Blocks is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of life in urban America, focusing on a family struggling to keep their bonds strong amidst the oppressive realities of their environment. The film doesn't shy away from the gravity of the issues it raises, from institutional racism, economic inequality, drug abuse, to the cycles of violence so entrenched in these neighborhoods. Nevertheless, it always retains its focus on the human element, ensuring the audience never forgets the real people behind the socio-political discourse.

Rothbart’s direction and the rawness of footage shot by the family themselves bring an authentic and unfiltered look into their lives. He expertly navigates sensitive topics, painting a deeply moving and compassionate portrait of the Sanford-Durants. Beyond the hardship and struggle, 17 Blocks is also a testament to resilience, familial love, and the power of dreams.

Rothbart's adept blending of gritty realism with emotional depth is bolstered by the documentary's artful storytelling. The Sanford-Durant’s story is told chronologically, with each moment of joy, tragedy, or triumph captured on home video interspersed with modern interviews that provide added context and layers to the narrative. The home videos, lacking any polished filter, offer viewers the raw and unguarded truth of the Sanford-Durant’s experiences. The vibrant, heartbreaking, and sometimes mundane footage presents an intimate connection as the audience gets inserted directly into the heart of their lives.

17 Blocks takes the viewer on an emotional journey transcending the stereotypical narrative around inner cities and presenting audiences with a delicate story of a family's trials, tribulations, and hopes. It is a stark reminder of the realities and struggles living only 17 blocks away from the nation's power corridors, despite being far removed from their influence and access.

The visually raw style, personal narratives, and candid honesty make 17 Blocks more than just a documentary. It becomes a profound commentary on race, poverty, and the American Dream. The Sanford-Durant family's adversity, strength, and unbreakable spirit resonate with audiences, giving a voice to communities often overlooked or misunderstood. Through Rothbart's careful direction and the passions of its non-professional cast, 17 Blocks is a remarkable film that leaves a lasting impression long after the credits roll.