On this episode, I spoke to directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae about their work on Daughters. 

Natalie Rae is an award-winning director devoting much of her career to women’s rights. Her work has been commissioned by the U.N. and Gates Foundation. She is the recipient of two Cannes Young Lions nominations. Working with artists such as Leon Bridges, H.E.R., Anderson Paak, Rae brings a distinct style and effervescent energy to music videos, commercials, and now her first feature documentary.

Angela Patton, CEO of Girls For A Change, is committed to advancing opportunities for Black girls. Her TEDWomen talk garnered over one million views and inspired the making of Daughters. As a speaker, author, and co-director, Patton is dedicated to celebrating and sharing the multifaceted experiences of Black girls.

MORE ABOUT DAUGHTERS: 

A moving portrait of empathy and forgiveness, Daughters traces an eight-year documentary journey by filmmaker Natalie Rae and social change advocate Angela Patton. The film intimately follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. Speaking openly about their aspirations, dreams, and the emotional toll of their fathers’ absence, compounded by the constraints of virtual visits, these girls reveal a profound wisdom and resilience beyond their years. As they navigate heartbreak, anger, and uncertainty, they seize a precious opportunity to forge connections. Daughters sheds light on the complexities of familial bonds strained by the unforgiving barriers of the criminal justice system and emphasizes that the foundation of community healing lies within the family unit.