#SUNDANCE: “HOMEROOM”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Homeroom follows the 2019-2020 graduating class of Oakland High School, as the Student Board Directors fight for change within their school system.

As the school year begins, these students are fighting against budget cuts and pleading to remove the presence of police officers in their schools. This action would save the school budget of $2.5 million. The students because this is money could be allocated into programs to aid in ending the school to prison pipeline. Although they face many challenges in completing their goals, this Documentary proves the power and resilience of youth. 

We watch as they pivot but continue to fight for their causes when faced with the pandemic. The Student Directors never stop Zoom meetings to hear from their student body. They keep on speaking to the Board of Directors and Mayor of Oakland asking for the removal of the police. Director Peter Nicks goes further, showing the emotional impacts the police killing of George Floyd had on the students. And the effect it had on the School Board’s decision of police within high schools.

Homeroom screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 29 at 12 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): January 31 at 10 AM (EST)