American Promise (2013)
A landmark documentary spanning 13 years, following two Black boys through America’s starkly divided educational landscape.
American Promise - Movie Information
- Original Title: American Promise
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 2h 15m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 18, 2013 (United States)
- Production Companies: American Documentary, POV, Impact Partners, ITVS, Rada Studio
- Production Countries: United States of America
American Promise - Plot
In 1999, filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson turned the camera on themselves and began filming their five-year-old son, Idris, and his best friend, Seun, as they started kindergarten at the prestigious Dalton School just as the private institution was committing to diversify its student body. Their cameras continued to follow both families for another 12 years as the paths of the two boys diverged—one continued private school while the other pursued a very different route through the public education system.
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American Promise - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Joe Brewster
- Michèle Stephenson
Main Cast
- Idris Brewster
- Oluwaseun Summers
- Michèle Stephenson
- Joe Brewster
- Anthony Summers
- Stacey O. Summers
Producers
- Joe Brewster
- Michèle Stephenson
American Promise - FAQs
Where can you stream American Promise online?
American Promise is available to stream for free on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, and Cineverse. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango at Home Free.
Is American Promise based on a true story?
Yes, American Promise is a documentary rooted entirely in real events. Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson spent 13 years filming their own son, Idris, and his friend Seun as they navigated vastly different educational paths, from the elite Dalton School to the public school system.
What is American Promise about?
American Promise chronicles two Black boys, Idris and Seun, from kindergarten through high school. Beginning at the prestigious Dalton School in 1999, the film tracks their diverging journeys through private and public education, examining race, identity, opportunity, and the pressures placed on Black male students in America.
Who directed American Promise?
American Promise was co-directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, a husband-and-wife filmmaking team who are also the parents of one of the documentary’s two subjects, Idris Brewster. Their personal stake in the story gives the film an intimate and emotionally resonant perspective.
Does American Promise have a post-credits scene?
American Promise does not include a post-credits scene. As a documentary, the film concludes with its final reflections on Idris and Seun’s journeys into adulthood, leaving viewers with a thoughtful meditation on education, race, and the meaning of success in America.
What happened to Idris and Seun after the film?
By the film’s conclusion, Idris Brewster had graduated and pursued higher education, while Seun Summers charted his own path through the public school system. Their diverging trajectories serve as the documentary’s central lens for examining race, class, and educational inequality in the United States.
How long is American Promise?
American Promise has a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes). The film’s extended length reflects the scope of its 13-year production, giving viewers a comprehensive look at both boys’ educational journeys from early childhood through their teenage years.
Did American Promise win any awards?
American Promise received significant critical recognition, winning the Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Verite Filmmaking at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. It also aired as part of PBS’s acclaimed POV documentary series and was widely praised for its unflinching examination of race and education.
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