Ava DuVernay is returning to the subject of American justice with 14th, a new documentary examining a constitutional amendment whose meaning remains contested more than 150 years after its ratification.

Today, Netflix announced that it will release the film globally on December 4, following a theatrical run in select U.S. and U.K. theaters beginning November 27. Before then, 14th will make its world premiere on October 9 as the Closing Night selection of the 64th New York Film Festival.

The appearance brings DuVernay back to the festival 10 years after 13th opened the event. Her 2016 documentary examined the relationship between the 13th Amendment and mass incarceration. This time, she turns to the 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War and written to establish citizenship while guaranteeing equal protection under the law.

DuVernay uses the film to examine how the amendment has been interpreted and challenged since its adoption, bringing its history into conversation with disputes playing out in the United States today. She conducted more than 50 interviews for the project, drawing from people with differing political viewpoints.

Among those featured are Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Anna Paulina Luna, along with Senators Alex Padilla and former Senator Jeff Flake. Stacey Abrams appears alongside legal scholar Sherrilyn Ifill, while historians Eric Foner and David Blight are also included. Hasan Piker and conservative author Donald T. Critchlow contribute to the discussion as well.

The documentary continues DuVernay’s interest in using film to interrogate American institutions and the laws influencing everyday life. At the heart of 14th is a question whose answer has repeatedly been fought over throughout the country’s history: who is entitled to the full protections of American citizenship?

Produced by ARRAY, 14th is directed by DuVernay, who also serves as producer alongside Spencer Averick, Tammy Garnes and Paul Garnes.

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.