Boys State – An Observational Revelation

Documentary acquisitions are relatively unseen, never-mind acquisitions for documentaries as big as the one for Boys State. After rapturous praise at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and thanks to its U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary win at the festival, it received a 12 million dollar pickup from Apple and A24. This may beg the question for many – is it financially viable for anyone to pick up a documentary for that much? While it’s hard to truly answer that question, there’s no doubt about that the film is certainly worth that amount based on quality alone.

To begin, it is worth mentioning just how insanely captivating Boys State is. Based on what amounts to be a mere mock election, the stakes felt so much higher. While the film’s subject matter definitely contributes to why that was the case, it’s hard not to commend the level of filmmaking here – which is revelatory. With a setting such as this one and considering its unpredictable nature, it’s particularly hard to guess on paper how it will be received by audiences. However, the impeccable manner which Moss and McBane film this event plays out as a masterclass in documentary filmmaking. Their on the fly shot selection is marvellous meanwhile the film has some of the best cinematography for any observational documentary. The focus and the subjects that film follows really pay off. All four figures at the center of the film are quite inspirational individually.

It’s also worth mentioning how the editing here is borderline revolutionary. Considering the fact that Boys State essentially chronicles the events occurring over the course of a summer camp thanks to a series of cameras planted across the camp, major props are deserved in the editing department for how much bigger it makes it all feel. It feels like the saga of a lifetime, and something with such high stakes – that the viewer can easily forget it is a mock election. Moments like the official boys state talent show and marching band showcases elevate the stakes and atmosphere opposed to distracting from them, making it feel much more grand than it could’ve otherwise.

In the end, the film could only go as far as its subjects and again, the film ultimately reaches the heights it does as a result of its four super inspirational subjects as they make Boys State as moving as it was. Though all four of them are super inspirational and captivating, the standout has to be Steven Garza. The humanity he brings to his campaign was truly impactful, bringing the film an emotional core that serves as the cherry on top of what is already a masterpiece.

It’s hard to recapture what Boys State does so excellently within its medium without actually seeing it because that’s after all what’s so special about it. The film may be a fascinating event but its depiction has the aura of a cinematic odyssey that aims to show much more than a mock election that sheds light on the politicians of the future while bringing a much needed empathetic warmth to them.

still courtesy of Apple

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