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Deep Dive: North by Current (2021)

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North by Current
In 'North by Current', filmmaker Angelo Madsen Minax returns to his rural Michigan hometown after the death of his infant niece. The film addresses the aftermath of this tragedy, particularly focusing on the arrest of his brother-in-law as the alleged perpetrator. Minax employs a mix of essay film techniques and personal cinema vérité, alongside decades of home movies, to depict a community facing issues like opioid addiction and economic hardship. The documentary does not solely concentrate on the crime itself but rather presents a broader view of a family working to rebuild their connections and rethink justice. It examines themes of addiction, trans embodiment, and the complexities of rural life, using empathy as a tool to challenge traditional narratives around incarceration and community struggles.

Why Watch

  • •Find out how a family copes with tragedy in rural Michigan.
  • •Meet a community battling opioid addiction and economic issues.
  • •See personal home movies blended with modern storytelling.

Did You Know

•The film is directed by Angelo Madsen Minax.
•It has a runtime of 86 minutes.
•The documentary was released in 2021.

Perfect For

Rural community issuesOpioid addictionTrans embodiment