“A Reckoning in Boston” began as a study of how humanities participation may improve the lives of adults enduring economic difficulty and adversity, according to filmmaker James Rutenbeck. Rutenbeck is forced to confront a weak film concept and his personal role in discriminatory practices after spending years among these pupils. The film’s plot develops over time, and his subjects become his co-producers. “A Reckoning in Boston,” hailed by The Boston Globe as “an absolute must-see,” premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS.
The Clemente Course in the Humanities has provided low-income adults across the United States with free access to great works of literature, art history, moral philosophy, and American history, many of whom have experienced homelessness, transitioned out of prison, or faced financial barriers to a college education.
Rutenbeck, a white suburban filmmaker, went to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 2014 to record Clemente students’ reactions to the course. James began to doubt his capacity to mediate the tales of two students, Kafi Dixon and Carl Chandler, as he spent time outside the classroom with them.
Dixon and Chandler advised the filmmaker to turn the camera around and expose himself in the same way that they had done for him. In the process, he was forced to confront the institutional racism that exists in Boston and across the United States, as well as his own place within it.
Dixon, a 44-year-old Boston bus driver who aspires to be an African-American farmer in the Northeast, and Chandler, a 66-year-old single parent surviving on a tiny pension and disability payments, assisting Rutenbeck in establishing his voice, the subjects of the film change from subjects to producers.
“A Reckoning in Boston,” the finished product, is a story told not only by Dixon and Chandler but also by Rutenbeck. While director Rutenbeck grapples with his own racial and economic privilege, Dixon and Chandler try to overcome the violence, racism, and gentrification that threaten Boston.
Is “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on Hulu?
Hulu isn’t going to host “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on its platform. Lifeguard, Paycheck are some best choices.
Is “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on Netflix?
Netflix isn’t going to host “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on its platform. The Chair, The One are some best choices.
Is “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on HBO Max?
HBO Max isn’t going to host “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on its platform. “DMZ”, “Julia” are some best choices.
Is “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on Prime Video?
Prime Video isn’t going to host “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on its platform. Like Mike, Mad Money are some best choices.
Is “Independent Lens: A Reckoning in Boston” on PBS?
Independent Lens is America’s home for independent documentary cinema, airing Monday nights on PBS member stations and streaming on the PBS Video App beginning January 17th.
The PBS streaming app, which is accessible on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and other platforms, contains the whole PBS show lineup, but with conditions once again. Unless you donate a minimum of $5 a month to your local PBS station as a “Passport” member or a tenth of a monthly payment to YouTube, programs come and go quickly.