Somewhere around 20 minutes into the A24 and Apple TV+ documentary “Boys State,” one of the young men running for chairman of his party says to a crowd of other young men “I believe our society is stronger when everybody is disciplined, yet dangerous. Our masculinity shall not be infringed.” A few moments later, another young man says “I am going to use this devotion to see change for this year’s Nationalists and to pressure the Federalists into a state of absolute submission!”
It’s a harrowing statement and one that encapsulates the entirety of not only this American institution but also the viewpoint of the film. “Boys State” is a documentary that is as detached from its subjects as possible. At no point do the directors step in, do we hear them speak directly to the subjects, or do we even see any filmmakers or camera people. These boys are, for better or worse, doing exactly what they want to do in this situation with cameras rolling all around them.
For those unaware, since 1937, every state in the U.S.A. has held an American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State conference where high school juniors come and participate in a mock election process. They’re split into two parties, elect party heads, have a television station, reporters, debates, all in an effort to allow those youths who are interested in the political process to participate in a facsimile of it.
This particular documentary is set at the Texas Boys State convention, and it certainly show in the participates. While there are a large variety of youth there, a majority of them seem to be conservative, and it leaves the film feeling a bit lopsided as a result. Like the two quoted at the top, most of these boys result to screaming their points and opinions at each other. Thankfully, these traits eventually subside as the filmmakers eventually narrow the focus down to four specific people.
Shot back in 2018, there are plenty of guerrilla tactics taken in the filming that make it feel as though you’re a fly on the wall as opposed to an active participant. Like previously stated, the filmmakers don’t insert themselves into the proceedings, and it creates a more clinical and cut and dry film.
Its difficult to talk about this film without delving into politics, but that’s really where its strongest aspects are. Regardless of party affiliation, or lack thereof, there’s something weirdly dystopian about this entire practice. Whereas the politicians that most of these young men likely idolize stand on stage and speak slowly and calmly, these men scream and shout, rallying the crowd like a high school election or frat meeting.
To hear words like “bipartisanship” be thrown out and followed by a whoop of applause like a football game was just won is a weird sensation and it is utterly intoxicating. These are some of the people who will likely lead the future U.S. government in some way, and to watch the fat be trimmed and the real leaders emerge is a great experience.
Early on in the film, one of these so-called screaming frat boy styled men, Robert, says that, despite his outward appearance, he is mostly progressive and is pro-choice, directly going against the appearance he put on previously to the crowd of his party. “This is a game I would like very much to win. My stance on abortion would not line up well with the guys out there at all, so I chose to pick a new stance. That’s politics… I think.”
With testosterone fueled antics like pushup contests on stage before a debate starts, “Boys State” feels as close to a nature documentary on Lord of the Flies as one could possibly get. One of the party leaders, Ben, states “A message of unity, as good as it sounds, is not winning anyone any elections,” and yet the most calming and uplifting moment in the film is a small scene showing how the mock House of Representatives is getting along far better and doing more “good” than the mock election boys.
It’s hard to tell if “Boys State” has a message or ethos. It seeks to paint with large broad strokes, to provide a window into a world that not even all Americans are aware of. It’s an enthralling piece of documentary filmmaking at its purest form, detached and simplistic. Some may want more specific attention on certain aspects of the subject, but one thing is certain. This is an excellent film that, similar to Robert, might not be what it appears to be on the outside. Despite an appearance of gung-ho pro-politician attitude, it does end on the harrowing line “I don’t hate the man. Never will, I think he’s a fantastic politician. But I don’t think a fantastic politician is a compliment either.” 4/5
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