Boys State (2020)
Story overview
Boys State is a 2020 documentary that follows 1,100 teenage boys from Texas as they participate in a week-long political simulation, building a representative government from scratch. The film captures their campaigns, debates, alliances, and conflicts, offering a raw look at democracy in action through the eyes of ambitious adolescents.
Parent Guide
A thought-provoking documentary suitable for mature middle schoolers and teens interested in politics. While educational, it contains realistic depictions of adolescent political maneuvering that may require parental guidance.
Content breakdown
No physical violence. Some verbal confrontations and political tension, but no perilous situations.
Some viewers might find the intensity of political conflict and personal attacks disturbing, but nothing graphic or horror-related.
Occasional mild profanity (e.g., 'hell', 'damn'), typical of teenage conversation. No strong or frequent swearing.
No sexual content or nudity. Focus is entirely on political activities.
No depiction of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco use.
Emotionally intense moments include campaign losses, heated debates, and personal disappointments. Some participants experience significant stress and frustration.
Parent tips
This documentary provides an excellent opportunity to discuss politics, leadership, and civic engagement with teens. While generally appropriate for middle schoolers and up, parents should be aware of occasional strong language and intense political rhetoric. Consider watching together to facilitate conversations about media literacy, ethical campaigning, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
—
- What do you think leaders do?
- How do people work together in a group?
- What did you notice about how the boys campaigned?
- Why do you think some strategies worked better than others?
- What would you do differently if you participated?
- How does this simulation reflect real-world politics?
- What ethical dilemmas did you observe in their campaigns?
- How did media and messaging influence the outcomes?
- What does this reveal about democracy's strengths and weaknesses?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, Boys State explores how power structures replicate themselves through young minds. The film reveals that political polarization isn't an adult invention but a natural human tendency when ambition meets limited resources. These teenagers instinctively mirror the very political behaviors they claim to despise—creating attack ads, forming strategic alliances, and sacrificing principles for victory. The driving force isn't ideology but the intoxicating allure of winning within a system. The most compelling character arcs show how quickly moral compromise becomes normalized when framed as political necessity, suggesting our current political climate isn't an aberration but an inevitable outcome of how we teach leadership.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss employ a fly-on-the-wall documentary style that feels both intimate and clinical. The camera lingers on faces during moments of moral crisis, capturing micro-expressions that reveal more than speeches ever could. The visual palette is deliberately mundane—beige government buildings, fluorescent lighting, and identical polo shirts—making the intense political drama feel both absurd and terrifyingly real. Strategic use of tight close-ups during pivotal votes creates claustrophobic tension, while wider shots of empty auditoriums emphasize the performative nature of politics. The filmmakers avoid glamorizing any perspective, presenting events with a neutral gaze that forces viewers to draw their own uncomfortable conclusions.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The documentary was filmed during the 2018 Texas Boys State program, with filmmakers following over 1,100 participants before narrowing focus to key figures. Steven Garza, who emerges as the film's moral center, was actually recruited by the filmmakers after they noticed his quiet integrity during preliminary research. The production faced significant challenges obtaining permissions from both the American Legion (which runs Boys State) and parents of minors. Editors worked with over 1,000 hours of footage to craft the narrative, with the final edit taking nearly two years to complete. The film's success led to a follow-up documentary, 'Girls State,' exploring the parallel program.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- Apple TV
- Apple TV Amazon Channel
Trailer
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