Before Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok, the younger generation rarely filmed themselves in their day-to-day lives. And if they do, they’ll have to do it the old fashion way—with a camera.

In 17 Blocks, a family documented themselves for 20 years starting in 1999. Their lives and experiences living in the Washington, D.C. area covered heartbreaking and inspirational journey through race and class in America.

Here’s the official synopsis of the film:

In 1999, filmmaker Davy Rothbart met Emmanuel Sanford-Durant and his older brother, Smurf, during a pickup basketball game in Southeast Washington, D.C. Davy began filming their lives, and soon the two brothers and other family members began to use the camera themselves. Spanning 20 years, this story illuminates a national, ongoing crisis through one family’s raw, stirring, and deeply personal saga. Mad from more than 1,000 hours of footage, it all starts on the street where they lived in 1999, 17 blocks behind the U.S. Capitol.

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The documentary is directed by Davy Rothbart. It is written and edited by Jennifer Tiexiera.

Despite the political glitz and glamour of Washington, D.C. suffers from the devastating issues of race, crime, and poverty. With the perspective of one family, 17 Blocks shows a perspective of living in one of these ever-changing neighborhoods from the perspectives of different family members. For future activists, this documentary may be an eye-opener.

MTV Documentary Films releases 17 Blocks in virtual cinemas nationwide starting February 19.

Check out the trailer and poster below. Let us know what you think.

Source: MTV Documentary Films