Watch 17 Blocks

17 Blocks is an emotional documentary that follows the lives of the Sanford family for over 20 years. The film begins in 1999 when the family, living in Washington DC, receives their first video camera. This camera becomes an essential element in the Sanford family's story as they record their daily lives. The cameras were installed as a way to document the growth of the kids and the family's journey towards a better life. The family moved into a new home in 17 blocks away from the US Capitol, a place that was supposed to hold a brighter future for them. However, over the years, the cameras capture the family's trials and triumphs, including living with addiction, violence, and loss.

17 Blocks documents the family's journey through years of dysfunction and trauma, including the shooting death of 17-year-old daughter and mother of two, Bree in 2006. The family became the subject of filmmakers as the cameras continued to follow their lives. Following the death of Bree, the cameras recorded the family's grief as they struggled to cope with the loss of their loved one.

The film also documents the family's struggles to overcome addiction, with brothers Smurf and Pug facing their own demons while supporting each other on the road to recovery. The story of the entire Sanford family is compiled within a span of over two decades in this compelling film, showing the long-term effects of poverty, trauma, and institutional racism.

The film was directed by Davy Rothbart and produced by Alex Turtletaub and Michael B. Clark. It was executive produced by LeBron James, and Maverick Carter under their SpringHill Entertainment banner.

17 Blocks is a poignant and powerful documentary that paints a picture of the stark realities of life in a deprived neighborhood where families struggle to survive day-to-day, especially under the brutal racial administration of law enforcement. The film provides a raw and intimate look at the experiences that many black families go through in the US and how they manage to overcome generational issues.

The film is a masterful portrayal of how the human spirit is capable of surviving the most profound difficulties of life with resilience, courage, and hope. The documentary is a piece that encourages viewers to question the social systems that many black people endure in the US, including the lack of proper support, representation, and economic opportunities.

One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is its honesty. The film provides unfiltered access to the experiences and hardships that the Sanford family endures. The cameras capture the family members in their most vulnerable moments, but the family remains steadfast, their bond unbreakable, despite everything that they have been through.

In conclusion, 17 Blocks is an emotionally-charged documentary that dives deep into the heart of the Sanford family's experiences over a 20-year period. The film is an unflinching portrayal of the struggles and challenges that many black families face in the US. Yet, it is also an uplifting story of the human spirit's capacity to overcome and find hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

17 Blocks is a 2021 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 81.