Homeroom

Homeroom is a 2021 documentary that gracefully captures a year in the life of the senior class at Oakland High School located in Oakland, California, amidst the seismic events which defined the year, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the socio-political reverberations of the Black Lives Matter movement. Directed by Peter Nicks and produced under the banner of Concordia Studio, the film provides a compelling and intimate look at the experiences of young adults navigating through one of the most tumultuous years in recent history, highlighting their resilience, activism, and the power of community.

The documentary does not follow a typical plot structure with fictional characters. Instead, it features real students such as Dwayne Davis and Denilson Garibo, who represent the diverse voices of Oakland's youth. These students, already facing the universal challenges that come with being a high school senior—such as applying to college, preparing for graduation, and making plans for the future—find themselves thrust into an unprecedented global crisis that upends their lives and educational journeys.

One of the key themes of Homeroom is the issue of educational equity, as the film addresses the stark realities of the digital divide that the pandemic exacerbates. With schools transitioning to distance learning to maintain safety, the documentary uncovers the disparity in resources and access to technology that students face, emphasizing how these challenges disproportionately affect underserved communities. The filmmaker's attentive lens follows the seniors as they adjust to online classes, struggle with connectivity issues, and grapple with the distractions and responsibilities within their home environments.

Moreover, the film explores the growing civic engagement among the young students, particularly in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement. Driven by a demand for racial justice and reform, the documentary delves into their impassioned organizing and advocacy work. Students like Davis and Garibo become central figures in their community's response, using their voices to call for changes in the local government and educational system. These efforts intersect with the broader narrative of civil unrest sweeping the nation, as the documentary captures intense moments of their activism.

Oakland's mayor, Libby Schaaf, also appears in Homeroom, symbolizing the establishment and institutional authority that the students often find themselves at odds with. The film documents the interactions between the students and city leadership, where we see these young activists pushing for policy changes and holding officials accountable for the safety and well-being of their peers.

The power of youth leadership stands out as a prominent motif in Homeroom. Through the commitment and organizing skills of its student leaders, the documentary showcases the seniors' collective effort to voice their concerns and make significant impacts on their school's policies. The film demonstrates the unique perspectives this generation brings to the table, underscored by their willingness to confront difficult conversations on race, inequality, and justice.

Director Peter Nicks employs a cinema verité style, allowing the events to speak for themselves without the intrusion of a narrative voiceover or preconceived storyline. The camera acts as a silent observer, capturing candid moments that range from the mundane to the monumental. This fly-on-the-wall approach provides audiences with an authentic sense of immersion into the lives of the students at Oakland High School.

The visual storytelling, fueled by these genuine moments, conveys a broad spectrum of emotions, from hope to frustration, and underscores the uncertainty of the future that these seniors face. Homeroom not only celebrates the moments of triumph and solidarity but also does not shy away from documenting the setbacks and disappointments.

As a documentary, Homeroom also serves as a historical record of this particular moment in time. It encapsulates the experiences of the Class of 2020, a group of young adults whom history will remember for the extraordinary circumstances under which they completed their high school education. The film touches on the universal through the specificity of Oakland, highlighting the strength and adaptability of a community under pressure.

The significance of Homeroom lies in its focused portrayal of young people at the cusp of adulthood, charged with the task of reshaping the world amidst its chaos. Through the lens of the students at Oakland High, the documentary provides a nuanced and hopeful vision of the future, driven by a generation of informed, engaged, and resilient individuals. This film is a testimony to their journey and a nod to the potential of youth to drive meaningful change in society.