The Boys of Baraka
Release Date:
November 30, 2005
Limited release
Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, The Boys of Baraka is a documentary that looks at some extraordinary "at-risk" 12-year-old boys from one of the most violent areas of Baltimore. They agree to be sent on an amazing adventure to an experimental boarding school in rural Kenya, where they are able to chase a grand opportunity and try to fight the "throw-away" label that has so often been affixed to children in their situation.
The school has a teacher-student ratio of 1:5 and a strict disciplinary program, but also allows the kids to be normal boys. The documentary has been recognized by International Documentary Association and has been featured at a variety of film festivals, including the Chicago International Film Festival and the SWSX Film Festival in Austin. (Kim Hollis/BOP)