Ava DuVernay unveils Netflix’s most politically charged documentary on the 14th Amendment
Director Ava DuVernay is set to premiere “14th,” a Netflix documentary that explores the modern challenges facing the 14th Amendment.
Ava DuVernay’s upcoming documentary “14th” will debut at the New York Film Festival, examining how the 14th Amendment is being contested in today’s political climate. The idea emerged in early 2024 when Donald Trump signaled plans to challenge birth-right citizenship, prompting DuVernay to broaden the film’s scope to issues such as due process, public debt and insurrection language. Production tracked figures like Library of Congress chief Carla Hayden and Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch, whose departures added urgency to the narrative.
Over 50 experts, legislators and comedians such as Hasan Minhaj appear, aiming to make complex constitutional history accessible. Netflix, DuVernay’s longtime partner, continued its support despite broader industry hesitancy toward overtly political projects. The documentary also strives to include diverse viewpoints, though only a handful of Republican officials agreed to participate.
