At the UU Fellowship, Morgantown on November 9, at 6:30 p.m. Free. This movie has been well received, receiving praise from the Washington Post (some of their words below). The movie was nominated for an Oscar.
“Slavery technically ended over 150 years ago. But Ava DuVernay wants you to take another look at the amendment that abolished it. Her documentary “13th” is a powerful look at how the modern-day prison labor system links to slavery. The film offers a timely and emotional message framed by the election and the Black Lives Matter movement.
“13th” received a standing ovation at the New York Film Festival, where it became the first documentary to open the prestigious festival. The title refers to the 13th amendment, which formally abolished slavery. But DuVernay zeroes in on the amendment’s exception clause, which states that slavery and involuntary servitude are illegal “except as a punishment for crime.”