In the remote town of Pahokee in rural Florida, two filmmakers follow four teenagers through their final year of high school. This documentary offers a deep insight into the lives of these young people, who are caught between the challenges of growing up and the expectations of their community. Na'Kerria, a dedicated cheerleader, aspires to be crowned Miss Pahokee High School while working at a seafood restaurant and juggling her schoolwork. Jocabed, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, is one of the best students in her class and dreams of attending the University of Florida. Junior, a young father, juggles schoolwork, his role in the marching band, and the demands of fatherhood. BJ, co-captain of the football team, hopes to earn an athletic scholarship to continue his education. Patrick Bresnan's camera work and Ivete Lucas' editing capture the rituals and challenges of everyday school life – from sporting events to beauty pageants to graduation ceremonies. The result is a multi-layered portrait of a community that sticks together despite economic uncertainty and social challenges. *PAHOKEE* premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and has been shown internationally at festivals such as Visions du Réel in Switzerland.
In Pahokee, a small town in the Florida Everglades, four teens experience the joys and heartbreaks of their last year in high school.
In the remote town of Pahokee in rural Florida, two filmmakers follow four teenagers through their final year of high school. This documentary offers a deep insight into the lives of these young people, who are caught between the challenges of growing up and the expectations of their community.
Na'Kerria, a dedicated cheerleader, aspires to be crowned Miss Pahokee High School while working at a seafood restaurant and juggling her schoolwork. Jocabed, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, is one of the best students in her class and dreams of attending the University of Florida. Junior, a young father, juggles schoolwork, his role in the marching band, and the demands of fatherhood. BJ, co-captain of the football team, hopes to earn an athletic scholarship to continue his education.
Patrick Bresnan's camera work and Ivete Lucas' editing capture the rituals and challenges of everyday school life – from sporting events to beauty pageants to graduation ceremonies. The result is a multi-layered portrait of a community that sticks together despite economic uncertainty and social challenges.
*PAHOKEE* premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and has been shown internationally at festivals such as Visions du Réel in Switzerland.