Ava DuVernay’s latest documentary, '14th', made its London debut as a Special Documentary Presentation at the BFI London Film Festival, drawing a rare standing ovation from an audience known for restraint. The film, which follows its October 9 premiere at the New York Film Festival, traces the history and present-day erosion of the 14th Amendment — specifically its guarantees of birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection under law.
DuVernay revealed she had no intention of returning to constitutional themes after her Emmy-winning 13th, but was galvanized during Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign when he pledged to challenge birthright citizenship. That moment sparked a deep dive into the amendment’s legacy and its modern vulnerabilities. "One of the first things he said he would do was challenge birthright citizenship. I thought, ‘Oh, wow. That’s the Fourteenth Amendment.’ That’s all I knew about it," she recalled.
The film, running just over 100 minutes, weaves together interviews with figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Stacey Abrams, Bryan Stevenson, and even MAGA Republican Anna Paulina Luna. DuVernay emphasized the effort to include diverse perspectives: "We reached out to more than 300 people who would be considered Republican or MAGA, and only four responded." The inclusion of political streamer Hasan Piker adds a contemporary edge to the historical narrative.
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