For Ahkeem
One of the most powerful documentaries ever crafted about the current nature of race relations in America.
-- Toronto Film Scene
For Ahkeem
After a school fight lands 17-year old Daje Shelton in a court-supervised alternative high school, she's determined to turn things around and make a better future for herself in her rough St. Louis neighborhood. But focusing on school is tough as she loses multiple friends to gun violence, falls in love for the first time, and becomes pregnant with a boy, Ahkeem, just as Ferguson erupts a few miles down the road. Through Daje's intimate coming-of-age story, For Ahkeem illuminates challenges that many black teenagers face in America today, and witnesses the strength, resilience, and determination it takes to survive.
"Masterful...shows us the undeniable power of cinema." - Huffington Post
"One of the most powerful documentaries ever crafted about the current nature of race relations in America.” - Toronto Film Scene
“For Ahkeem will touch the hearts of viewers, for certain, but it will also force them to think about their own privilege and their own situations. Hopefully it will make them want to do more. This is one of the best films at the festival this year.” - Toronto Film Scene (Hot Docs Review)
"A quietly impactful documentary with the texture of a narrative feature.” - The Hollywood Reporter
"A poignant snapshot." - Hollywood Reporter
"For Ahkeem is THE millennial documentary on Black girlhood" - Jet
"A visual diary, capturing the final days of adolescence on film. It's a compelling film story about life's unexpected curveballs...proves that girlhood, love, and determination can exist anywhere." - Shadow and Act
kill
“Intimate and Touching” - The Playlist
"Not only an absorbing documentary but an important one." - The Playlist
"Focusing on what happens when you’re brought up in a world unwilling to protect you, Jeremy Levine and Landon Van Soest’s powerful documentary drives these ideas home with quiet devastation.” - The Playlist
"The deeply personal tale of one young student as she experiences loss, love and dreams that never fade.” - People Magazine
"Up-close, slice-of-life documentary." - New York Times
“A remarkable experience” - The Knockturnal
“This Vérité Doc About a St. Louis Teen Offers Compellingly Humane Proof of the Fact That Black Lives Matter” - IndieWire
“A poignant look at Black girlhood” - Essence
“We see and feel what Boonie is experiencing and it changes how we see life...Truly amazing” - Unseen Films
“A must see” - Unseen Films
"Masterful...shows us the undeniable power of cinema." - Huffington Post
"One of the most powerful documentaries ever crafted about the current nature of race relations in America.” - Toronto Film Scene
“For Ahkeem will touch the hearts of viewers, for certain, but it will also force them to think about their own privilege and their own situations. Hopefully it will make them want to do more. This is one of the best films at the festival this year.” - Toronto Film Scene (Hot Docs Review)
"A quietly impactful documentary with the texture of a narrative feature.” - The Hollywood Reporter
"A poignant snapshot." - Hollywood Reporter
"For Ahkeem is THE millennial documentary on Black girlhood" - Jet
"A visual diary, capturing the final days of adolescence on film. It's a compelling film story about life's unexpected curveballs...proves that girlhood, love, and determination can exist anywhere." - Shadow and Act
kill
“Intimate and Touching” - The Playlist
"Not only an absorbing documentary but an important one." - The Playlist
"Focusing on what happens when you’re brought up in a world unwilling to protect you, Jeremy Levine and Landon Van Soest’s powerful documentary drives these ideas home with quiet devastation.” - The Playlist
"The deeply personal tale of one young student as she experiences loss, love and dreams that never fade.” - People Magazine
"Up-close, slice-of-life documentary." - New York Times
“A remarkable experience” - The Knockturnal
“This Vérité Doc About a St. Louis Teen Offers Compellingly Humane Proof of the Fact That Black Lives Matter” - IndieWire
“A poignant look at Black girlhood” - Essence
“We see and feel what Boonie is experiencing and it changes how we see life...Truly amazing” - Unseen Films
“A must see” - Unseen Films
Genre
Documentary,
African-American Experience,
Women and Film
Runtime
90
Language
English
Director
Jeremy S. Levine,
Landon Van Soest
Awards:
Nominee, Glasshütte Original Documentary Award, Berlin International Film Festival
FEATURED REVIEW
Aramide Tinubu, Jet
Over the past several decades, we’ve had glorious films like 'Pariah,' 'Eve’s Bayou' and 'Love & Basketball' among others, that have afforded young Black girls and teens the opportunity to see themselves, and for the various colors of their lives to be shared with the world. However, these types of ...
Played at
Monica Film Center 10.20.17 - 10.26.17
For Ahkeem Get Tickets
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