PARK CITY, Utah – Angela Patton has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing the needs of young girls. More than ten years ago, she initiated a program in Richmond, Virginia, in collaboration with the nonprofit Girls For a Change and the Camp Diva Leadership Academy, which introduced a “Date With Dad” dance for girls with fathers incarcerated. Surprisingly, this powerful initiative was inspired by a 12-year-old Black girl.
The success of a TEDWomen talk in 2012 highlighting this program captured the attention of several filmmakers eager to tell the story. However, it wasn’t until Natalie Rae stepped in that Patton felt she had found the right collaborator.
During the Sundance Film Festival in January, Patton shared with The Associated Press how she and Rae embarked on an eight-year journey as co-directors to create the documentary “Daughters.” This film follows four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers for a dance in a Washington, D.C., jail. Executive produced by Kerry Washington, this Sundance-award winning film will start streaming on Netflix on Wednesday.
“Daughters” offers intimate insights into the girls’ lives and the extensive 12-week therapy sessions that fathers engage in before the reunion, showcasing a poignant and intricate depiction of fractured relationships and healing processes.
Rae expressed, “It was one of the most impactful stories I had encountered. It truly epitomizes the transformative power that can unfold when we listen to the wisdom of young women. This idea was born from a young Black girl, and she knew the needs of both herself and her father.”
In a similar vein, both filmmakers were determined to present “Daughters” from the perspective of the girls themselves.
Patton stated, “I always advocate for them. I listen to them share sentiments like, ‘My dad is precious to me, but I’m upset with him right now.’ Or ‘My dad is wonderful, and others are trying to paint him differently, but I want them to see him as someone who made mistakes but still loves me.’ I am privy to these poignant narratives from numerous girls in the community, and my aim is to find ways to support them.”
Although Patton has a longstanding history of working with Black families in Washington and Richmond, the film necessitated an additional level of trust-building to establish close ties with the girls and their mothers.
Rae entered into this world as a newcomer. However, Patton acknowledged that her co-director “took it to the next level” by building relationships with their subjects and earning their trust.
“Daughters” promises to be a touching film that may prompt emotional responses. The filmmakers anticipate that it will serve as a catalyst for change, underscoring the significance of emotional visits where girls can embrace their fathers.
Rae shared, “We aim to showcase the impact on families and daughters from the carceral system and incarcerated fathers, shedding light on the necessity of physical visits and family connections.”
Remarking on the film, Patton added, “There are numerous takeaways from it as it’s a film that uplifts your spirit. It’s impossible to walk away without feeling a responsibility to take action, even if it means calling your father and telling him, ‘I love you, dad.'”
This article was originally published on Jan. 23, 2024, as part of The Associated Press’s Sundance Film Festival coverage. It has been updated to include details about its Netflix premiere.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
