13th 2016
Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary explores the history of racial inequality in the American justice system. Focusing on the 13th Amendment and its loophole allowing for involuntary servitude, the film examines how this legal framework has contributed to the mass incarceration of African Americans. Through historical footage and interviews, it reveals the evolution of this system and its impact on communities, exposing its complex relationship with race, politics, and profit.
Does 13th have end credit scenes?
No!
13th does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
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External Links and Streaming Options
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Ratings and Reviews for 13th
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81
Metascore
7.6
User Score
97%
TOMATOMETER
90%
User Score
8.2 /10
IMDb Rating
79
%
User Score
4.3
From 94 fan ratings
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Awards & Nominations for 13th
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Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for 13th
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The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, while celebrated for abolishing slavery, harbors an often-overlooked provision that this powerful documentary exposes. The clause states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist.” This loophole effectively legitimizes forced labor, provided that the individual is a convict. Director Ava DuVernay constructs a compelling argument, illustrating how this exception has perpetuated the subjugation of people of color in America.
Ratified in 1865, the documentary employs a blend of historical archives and insightful interviews to reinforce its thesis. It features impactful clips from former President Richard Nixon, whose infamous call for “Law & Order” inadvertently led to a dramatic rise in incarceration rates. Astonishingly, the United States houses 25% of the world’s prisoners, despite possessing only 5% of the global population. This policy, as noted by John Ehrlichman, who served as Assistant to Nixon for Domestic Affairs, reveals a chilling acknowledgment of deception: “Did we know we were lying? Of course we did.”
Delving deeper, the documentary asserts that the systemic issues visible today—such as drug busts, Jim Crow laws, and segregation—are merely modern manifestations of a long-standing effort to dominate Black America. The contemporary Prison/Industrial Complex emerges as a new iteration of the same entrenched problems. DuVernay passionately contends that mere adjustments to the system will not suffice; rather, it necessitates fundamental reconstruction to eradicate these persistent inequities.
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