Film

Ava DuVernay’s ‘14th’ Is Not a Sequel, It’s a Puzzle of the Constitution

By Rhys Dunbar, Film EditorJanuary 22, 2024

DuVernay’s latest film at NYFF explores the 14th Amendment in a non-linear, layered way, diverging from her previous linear documentary ‘13th’.

Ava DuVernay’s new film, ‘14th’, which closed this year's New York Film Festival, is being positioned as more than just a follow-up to her acclaimed 2016 documentary ‘13th’. Despite sharing thematic roots—particularly around civil rights and constitutional rights—DuVernay emphasizes that ‘14th’ isn’t a sequel but a complex puzzle. She describes the film’s structure as deliberately non-linear, designed to reflect the intricate and layered nature of the 14th Amendment itself, rather than providing a straightforward historical narrative.

The filmmaker revealed that her initial plan was to focus on birthright citizenship, especially in the context of recent political threats to it under President Trump. However, the project quickly expanded into a broader examination of the entire 14th Amendment, which has five parts and multiple interpretations. DuVernay explained that this approach allowed her to explore current events in a way that feels startling and immediate, as the constitutional issues ricochet against today’s political landscape. More context: Film.

DuVernay describes ‘13th’ as “very linear,” a documentary that traced the history of racial injustice in America with a clear beginning, middle, and end. ‘14th’, on the other hand, is structured as “a puzzle,” reflecting the amendment’s layered legal and historical significance. She saw this as an opportunity to deepen the conversation about how constitutional rights are interpreted and manipulated over time, especially in the context of ongoing debates about citizenship, race, and justice.

The shift in approach also mirrors the current political climate, where constitutional protections are increasingly contested. DuVernay’s decision to make ‘14th’ as a layered, puzzle-like film aligns with her goal of fostering critical thinking rather than delivering a linear history lesson. It’s a deliberate artistic choice that underscores the complexity of constitutional rights and the ways they are challenged in modern America.

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