Moments defending and questioning their dads in the same breath showcase conflicting loyalties beyond most youths years.
Their vulnerability and confusion rings out through self-aware proclamations far beyond childhood.
The emotional aftermath also means some assuming parental mind-sets before their time; a subtle form of parentification emerges.
‘Daughters’Netflix/Courtesy of Michael Cambio Fernandez
Watch on Deadline
During Fatherhood counseling meetings preceding a culminating dance, the film highlights systemic challenges.
His insight indicts prejudices that entomb all marginalized groups until they shake off societal constraints and claim identity.
Meanwhile, restrictive prison visitation policies increasingly bar in-person contact.
For some girls, a once-annual dance with their visiting father is their sole cherished physical connection.
According to the film, prisons have been doing away with in-person visits since 2014.
They are usually given two video visits, which they have to pay for.
Americas prison system increasingly warehouses the incarcerated more than reforms them.
Between draconian sentences, chronic overcrowding and understaffing, conditions degrade human dignity rather than encourage rehabilitation.
Vocational development, counseling and education remain limited inside prisons rather than meaningful priorities.
Recidivism cycles thus become self-fulfilling prophecies.
Support systems defending and nurturing kids impacted by imprisonment model the village concept.
Their circumstances severity comes into view once removed from the moments of father-daughter joy.
Title:DaughtersFestival (Section):Sundance(U.S.
