The Homestretch (2014 film) explained

The Homestretch
Director:	Anne de Mare Kirsten Kelly
Producer:	Anne de Mare Kirsten Kelly
Music:	Greg Kalember
Cinematography:	Anne de Mare Kirsten Kelly
Editing:	Leslie Simmer
Studio:	Kartemquin Films Spargel Productions
Distributor:	The Orchard Bullfrog Films Java Films Independent Lens
Runtime:	89 minutes
Country:	United States
Language:	English

The Homestretch is a 2014 American documentary film produced and directed by Anne de Mare and Kirsten Kelly.^{[1] [2]} De Mare and Kelly intended the film to serve as a challenge to the negative stereotypes of youth homelessness.^[3] The film premiered at the 2014 HotDocs Film Festival on April 26, 2014.^[4] It went on to play at the 2014 AFI Docs Film Festival^{[5] [6]} and the 2014 Human Rights Watch Film Festival.^[7]

Independent Lens, The Orchard, Bull Frog Films, and Java Films acquired distribution rights to the film. Independent Lens broadcast the film nationally on PBS, while The Orchard released it through digital platforms on November 21, 2014.^[8]

Synopsis

The film follows three homeless teenagers as they brave Chicago winters, the pressures of high school, and life alone on the streets.^[9]

Reception

The film received a positive response from critics.

• It was the recipient of the 2016 Emmy Award for Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting - Long Form.^{[10] [11]}
• Ben Sachs of the Chicago Reader said that "Directors Anne De Mare and Kirsten Kelly persuasively indict America's failure to assist homeless teenagers, which a title estimates at 1.6 million people. Yet the stories they present are genuinely uplifting, charting the lives of three homeless Chicago teens as they find housing, complete their high school educations, and ready themselves for the adult world."^[12]
• Keith Uhlich of The A.V. Club gave the film a positive review and said: "This empathetic documentary is a portrait of three juveniles—Roque, Kasey, and Anthony—and their struggle to extricate themselves from itinerancy."^[13]
• In his review for The Village Voice, Danny King said: "'The Homestretch' is ultimately a humane accomplishment."^[14]
• Glenn Kenney wrote for Roger Ebert's website "Its intimacy is a reflection of its compassion."^[15]

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Human Rights Watch Women Directors: Meet Anne de Mare & Kirsten Kelly (The Homestretch). Indiewire. 31 March 2015.
2. Web site: Chicago homeless teens featured in 'The Homestretch'. Windy City Times. 31 March 2015.
3. News: Interview: Anne de Mare and Kirsten Kelly talk The Homestretch. 2016-12-15. FilmDoo. 2018-09-17. en-US.
4. Web site: Exclusive: Poster and Trailer for 'The Homestretch' Look Upon Chicago's Homeless Youth Problem. Nonfics. 31 March 2015.
5. News: What to see at AFI Docs. Washington Post. 31 March 2015.
6. Web site: AFI DOCS Announces Filmmaker Enrichment Program Details. 16 June 2014. Indiewire. 31 March 2015.
7. Web site: HRW Film Fest Review: 'The Homestretch' is a Penetrating Portrait of 3 Homeless Teens at Crossroads. Indiewire. 31 March 2015.
8. Web site: Exclusive: 'The Homestretch,' Documentary About Homeless Youth, Gets Multi-Platform Release. 19 September 2014. Indiewire. 31 March 2015.
9. Web site: The Homestretch. 8 April 2014.
10. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Outstanding Business & Economic Reporting - Long Form . YouTube.
11. http://emmyonline.com/news_37th_winners 37th winners
12. Web site: Homeless teens search for a way out in Kartemquin's The Homestretch. 10 September 2014. Chicago Reader. 31 March 2015.
13. Web site: The Homestretch grants a voice to Chicago's teenage derelicts. 20 November 2014 . The A.V. Club. 31 March 2015.
14. Web site: The Homestretch Tracks the Lives of Three Homeless Chicago Teenagers. The Village Voice. 31 March 2015.
15. Web site: The Homestretch. RogerEbert.com. 31 March 2015.