Brooklyn Castle 2012
Distributed by First Run Features, 630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036; 212-243-0600
Produced by Katie Dellamaggiore
Directed by Katie Dellamaggiore
DVD , color, 102 min.
Jr. High - General Adult
Adolescents, African Americans, Education, Educational Films, Human Development, Sociology, and Teachers
Date Entered: 10/16/2013
ALA Notable: yes
Reviewed by Margaret M. Reed, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR
Brooklyn Castle tells the inspiring story of America’s most accomplished junior high chess team, a story rooted in the people who’ve invested in their lives.
The film follows some of Brooklyn I.S. 318’s most promising students as they prepare for and compete in chess tournaments around the country. A dedicated corps of educators and parents bolster them in victory and defeat, helping them make important life-changing connections along the way. Most remarkable is the impact of such encouragement. In their own words, the students share how chess has motivated their academic achievements and fueled their aspirations for the future.
Brooklyn Castle is a powerful reminder that unity and determination are what make schools great. Commitment to a well-rounded education prevails at Brooklyn I.S. 318. School officials, students, and the community band together to keep their extracurricular programs funded, even when budget cuts seem insurmountable.
Highly recommended for all libraries, Brooklyn Castle is an exceptional resource for teacher education and sociology courses. It is also an invaluable professional development tool for educators on all levels.
Critically acclaimed in the national press, Brooklyn Castle aired on the PBS documentary series POV and has earned a number of awards:
- Winner of the Audience Award – South by Southwest (SXSW) Film 2012 Documentary Spotlight
- Winner of the Audience Award – Newport Beach Film Festival 2012
- Top 10 Audience Favorites – Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2012
- Best New Director Award – Brooklyn Film Festival 2012
- 44th NAACP Image Awards – Nominee for Outstanding Documentary