Earlier today, we highlighted some free cinematic offerings online, including the new civil rights film Just Mercy, and a slew of films in the Criterion Collection made by African American directors. Then we stumbled upon this. Above, you can watch Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated film 13th. Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, DuVernay’s documentary focuses on the U.S. prison system and “how the country’s history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America.” It won Best Documentary at the Emmys, the BAFTAs and the NAACP Image Awards.
Update: During the month of June, DuVernay’s film, Selma, is also streaming free online.
If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here. Or follow our posts on Threads, Facebook, BlueSky or Mastodon.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, and Venmo (@openculture). Thanks!
Related Content:
4,000+ Free Movies Online: Great Classics, Indies, Noir, Westerns, Documentaries & MoreWatch the Pioneering Films of Oscar Micheaux, America’s First Great African-American Filmmaker
Every American needs to watch this movie TODAY. I’m mad I didn’t know about it until last night. Ava DuVernay is brilliant.
Yeah this documentary sucks. Glad I kept adblock on.