Documentary shows ‘far-reaching’ impact of dance events in prisons

A new documentary tells the story of a group of inmates in an American prison who are given a rare opportunity to connect with children they rarely see.

The crew behind The Daughter , which just screened at the Sheffield Documentary Festival, are serving sentences of years, if not decades, in Washington, DC.

The audience has no idea why these men are in prison—their crimes are not the point. Instead, the film revolves around an upcoming father-daughter dance, an event that includes lunch, dancing, and other activities and takes place in a converted prison gymnasium.

This documentary reveals the importance of in-person visits and the critical role a father can play in his daughter’s development.

The father-daughter dance was famously spearheaded by Virginia community activist Angela Patton, who co-directed the film with Natalie Rae.

“Dance is a very special few hours where you have the opportunity to form a deep connection, look into each other’s eyes, hug, dance, share very deep memories and be able to say ‘I love you’ or ‘I would love to have a relationship. relationship,” Ray told BBC News in Sheffield.

“This day is profound because it’s so rare in this context and it’s triggered as this incredible memory – like a prom or a wedding, it’s so special and if you’re having a hard time , you can ask for help.

Ray has directed music videos and short films before, but “Daughters” is her first feature-length film. She said the dance has a big impact on both parties because “you don’t have to go through all the other filters and barriers that normally exist”.

The unusual events at the center of the film see a father and daughter bond through dance, laughter and conversation.

“This is an opportunity for us to elevate girls’ voices and show the black experience and black girls in a different light,” Patton said of the film.

“Many people try to protect their children from all emotions except happiness, but this is not the reality of life.

“We have to accept being angry and upset about things, but then ask: ‘What are we going to do about this? How are we going to respond to this, and where are the resources?'”

Patton organized the original Father-Daughter Dance nearly two decades ago as part of her work managing organizations that support young Black girls growing into women.

An advocate for the importance of father-daughter relationships, Patton asked some of the girls she works with in Virginia what would help them feel more connected to their dads.

When a girl suggests dancing, her peers are quick to agree and enthuse. Barton quickly began organizing the event, and the dance was a huge success in its first year in 2007.

In subsequent years, however, some girls expressed sadness that their fathers were unable to attend because they were in prison. This prompted Barton to encourage the girls to contact the local prison and ask if they could have a prom there.

“We wrote a letter to the Richmond County Sheriff that was signed collectively by every girl.” Barton recalled in a 2012 Ted Talk. “I have to say, he’s a very special police chief.

“He contacted me immediately and said his door was always open whenever he had the opportunity to bring family in because one thing he did know was that when a father has contact with his children, they are less likely to return [to prison]”.

The first prison event was a success, prompting Barton to organize more events over the next few years. She estimated there have been 12 to 13 prisons since then, adding that prisons in other parts of the country have independently adopted the idea.

She explained that her motivation to emphasize the importance of the father-daughter relationship came from her own childhood.

“I’m a black woman and I’m lucky to have my father in my life,” she said. “I know my friends and peers who have and don’t have it, and I’m able to see their experiences as they’ve grown up. Being female and facing challenges.

“Not just with men, but overall decision-making, often blaming themselves, worrying about being ignored, and having conversations with me because I play a role in what they feel they need and are missing.”

Patton’s Ted Talk caught Ray’s attention, and she said she instinctively knew it would make great material for a documentary.

“The parent-child relationship is so important to connection, healing and the human experience,” the director said.

On a practical level, she admits that getting the prison cameras to film was “really difficult, but because Angela is a community leader and has been dancing for over 10 years, there must be good Record”.

But the dance itself is only part of the story. The event is preceded by a 10-week educational program including group therapy and practical advice on responsible fatherhood.

Many men are initially reluctant to share their feelings. But as the course progresses, they gradually warm up.

Some are justifiably concerned about how long it has been since they saw their daughters, most of whom are very young. Can they still recognize their father? If so, are they able to connect? The daughters themselves have similar concerns.

However, the moment when the girls arrive at the prom and walk down the prison corridors, nervously trying to find their father, is the highlight of the film.

The men lined up, dressed in suits appropriate for the occasion. In some cases, the reunions can be awkward at first, but also filled with joy and tenderness.

“This profound film clearly illustrates the impact of mass incarceration on families,” Variety’s Lisa Kennedy writes After the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

“Introducing the girls from youngest to oldest, the daughters gently point out that as the girls grow older, the absence of their fathers creates greater uncertainty and unrest in the world.”

It’s unusual for an activist who founded a core project to have a co-director role on the film.

“I think there needs to be a conversation about the ethics of filmmaking regarding Patton’s undiscussed abilities as co-director and screen catalyst,” The Hollywood Reporter Daniel Feinberg noted“But there is no doubt that her presence promotes the openness of the four girls who serve as the main protagonists.”

But Patton said it was “just another platform for me to tell stories,” adding that making the film felt like a natural progression from writing books, giving Ted talks and doing community work.

Rae joked that the film benefited from “200 percent directing,” adding: “I just feel like the film is better through the filter of each of us.”

“Certainly there were gaps in my experience that were obviously very important to the story.”

The film does not suggest that these men do not deserve to be in prison. Instead, its central message is the importance of the father-daughter relationship and how it should be maintained while in prison.

Director Lei reflected, “From a girl’s perspective, because the girls are innocent, all of these girls deserve to be loved and connected to parents who can communicate with them. So what the fathers did was really not focus.

“I also believed these were people worthy of love and relationships with their children. So we left [their crimes] Totally out of the movie.

Instead, the film highlights, restrictions on face-to-face visits and the high cost of phone or video calls prevent the contacts both parties would like to have.

Today, many U.S. prisons use apps, as shown in the movie, that display pricing tiers where family members can purchase different levels of inmate access.

“We believe that children’s rights to their parents should be protected, that touch visitation should be a human right, and that the prison system should not be profiting from family separation by allowing tech companies to come in and sell these apps,” Wray said.

Barton hopes to have more dances in the future. “Because it’s been done once and everyone didn’t have any bumps and bruises, then obviously it can be replicated.”

She’s glad other prisons have adopted the idea without her involvement.

“I don’t want to do all the work!” she laughed. “Some people say ‘Oh, they copied you,’ and I’m like, ‘That’s what I’m excited about!’ When you’re a community activist, you don’t own anything.