Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Chesa Boudin was only 14 months old when his parents, former Weather Underground activists, were arrested for their role in a fatal robbery. BEYOND BARS follows his profound journey. Witness the impact of parental incarceration through Chesa's eyes as he navigates a broken system and grapples with his identity. With searing honesty, the film traces Chesa's path from childhood struggles to becoming a voice for the children of the incarcerated and a trailblazing District Attorney fighting for reform. Intimate interviews and rare archival footage offer an unflinching look at the human toll of incarceration and the power of resilience. Through Chesa's battle for his parents' freedom and his efforts to transform the carceral system, BEYOND BARS is a testament to the unbreakable bonds of family and the intergenerational fight for equality and restorative justice.
With more than two million Americans currently in jails and prisons, BEYOND BARS is as much an examination of our fraying democracy and legacy of white supremacy, as it is a roadmap for how the power of local, grassroots organizing can restore the lives, families, and communities being destroyed by the ongoing cycle of inter-generational incarceration. Former San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin's story offers a dual lens into the personal trauma of mass incarceration and the tireless battle toward progressive reform within the United States criminal injustice system. Chesa is only 14 months old when condemned to seeing his parents-members of the Weather Underground-behind bars for the entirety of his childhood, a timeline that is interwoven with his historic pursuit to change the system with which he is intimately and painfully linked.
“Beyond Bars” exposes the punitive and traumatic impact of mass incarceration on children, families, and communities. The film simultaneously tells the story of progressive legal reformers who fight for public safety and resist the unjust and racist system designed to lock people up. The film follows the turbulent and ultimately restorative growth of a family impacted by forced carceral separation. Chesa Boudin is only 14 months old when condemned to only see his parents behind bars, an experience that is life altering and fuels his pursuit to change the system and win election as San Francisco’s District Attorney.
At its core, the film tells the gripping tale of courageous and progressive legal reformers who refuse to turn a blind eye to the inequities perpetuated by the current criminal legal system. These advocates for change stand tall in their fight for public safety while challenging the deeply rooted racism and systemic flaws that have led to the disproportionate imprisonment of marginalized individuals.
Central to the documentary's heart-rending story is the journey of a single family, profoundly impacted by forced carceral separation. Chesa Boudin, a young soul barely 14 months old when fate condemns him to a life defined by peering at his parents through cold, unyielding bars. This early and life-altering experience becomes the catalyst that fuels his unwavering determination to change the system from within.
Chesa's unwavering pursuit of justice and compassion leads him on an extraordinary path, ultimately culminating in his bid for San Francisco's District Attorney. "Beyond Bars" takes viewers on an immersive journey, offering a rare glimpse into the shattered lives and enduring resilience of those affected by mass incarceration. It unflinchingly lays bare the long-lasting trauma that extends far beyond the prison walls, affecting children who grow up without their parents, families torn apart, and communities burdened by the loss of their loved ones.
ABOUT BRAVE NEW FILMS
Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films (BNF) are at the forefront of the fight to create a just America. Greenwald and BNF create free documentary films that inform the public, challenge corporate media, and motivate people to take action on social issues nationwide. Brave New Films’ investigative films have shined a light on the Bush, Obama and Trump administration, voter suppression, U.S. drone strikes, the prosecution of whistleblowers, and Wal Mart’s corporate practices. BNF's mission is to champion social justice issues by using a model of media, education, and grassroots volunteer involvement that inspires, empowers, motivates and teaches civic participation and makes a difference.
#BraveNewFilms
Wanna see more of BNF's free documentaries?
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/BNF-YouTube
SIGN UP for email updates: bravenewfilms.org/signup
Set up a free screening or house party for any of our films free: bravenewfilms.org/screenings
Facebook: Facebook.com/BraveNewFilms
Instagram: Instagram.com/BraveNewFilms
Twitter: twitter.com/BraveNewFilms
DONATE: bit.ly/BNF-donate
Chesa Boudin was only 14 months old when his parents, former Weather Underground activists, were arrested for their role in a fatal robbery. BEYOND BARS follows his profound journey. Witness the impact of parental incarceration through Chesa's eyes as he navigates a broken system and grapples with his identity. With searing honesty, the film traces Chesa's path from childhood struggles to becoming a voice for the children of the incarcerated and a trailblazing District Attorney fighting for reform. Intimate interviews and rare archival footage offer an unflinching look at the human toll of incarceration and the power of resilience. Through Chesa's battle for his parents' freedom and his efforts to transform the carceral system, BEYOND BARS is a testament to the unbreakable bonds of family and the intergenerational fight for equality and restorative justice.
With more than two million Americans currently in jails and prisons, BEYOND BARS is as much an examination of our fraying democracy and legacy of white supremacy, as it is a roadmap for how the power of local, grassroots organizing can restore the lives, families, and communities being destroyed by the ongoing cycle of inter-generational incarceration. Former San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin's story offers a dual lens into the personal trauma of mass incarceration and the tireless battle toward progressive reform within the United States criminal injustice system. Chesa is only 14 months old when condemned to seeing his parents-members of the Weather Underground-behind bars for the entirety of his childhood, a timeline that is interwoven with his historic pursuit to change the system with which he is intimately and painfully linked.
“Beyond Bars” exposes the punitive and traumatic impact of mass incarceration on children, families, and communities. The film simultaneously tells the story of progressive legal reformers who fight for public safety and resist the unjust and racist system designed to lock people up. The film follows the turbulent and ultimately restorative growth of a family impacted by forced carceral separation. Chesa Boudin is only 14 months old when condemned to only see his parents behind bars, an experience that is life altering and fuels his pursuit to change the system and win election as San Francisco’s District Attorney.
At its core, the film tells the gripping tale of courageous and progressive legal reformers who refuse to turn a blind eye to the inequities perpetuated by the current criminal legal system. These advocates for change stand tall in their fight for public safety while challenging the deeply rooted racism and systemic flaws that have led to the disproportionate imprisonment of marginalized individuals.
Central to the documentary's heart-rending story is the journey of a single family, profoundly impacted by forced carceral separation. Chesa Boudin, a young soul barely 14 months old when fate condemns him to a life defined by peering at his parents through cold, unyielding bars. This early and life-altering experience becomes the catalyst that fuels his unwavering determination to change the system from within.
Chesa's unwavering pursuit of justice and compassion leads him on an extraordinary path, ultimately culminating in his bid for San Francisco's District Attorney. "Beyond Bars" takes viewers on an immersive journey, offering a rare glimpse into the shattered lives and enduring resilience of those affected by mass incarceration. It unflinchingly lays bare the long-lasting trauma that extends far beyond the prison walls, affecting children who grow up without their parents, families torn apart, and communities burdened by the loss of their loved ones.
ABOUT BRAVE NEW FILMS
Robert Greenwald and Brave New Films (BNF) are at the forefront of the fight to create a just America. Greenwald and BNF create free documentary films that inform the public, challenge corporate media, and motivate people to take action on social issues nationwide. Brave New Films’ investigative films have shined a light on the Bush, Obama and Trump administration, voter suppression, U.S. drone strikes, the prosecution of whistleblowers, and Wal Mart’s corporate practices. BNF's mission is to champion social justice issues by using a model of media, education, and grassroots volunteer involvement that inspires, empowers, motivates and teaches civic participation and makes a difference.
#BraveNewFilms
Wanna see more of BNF's free documentaries?
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/BNF-YouTube
SIGN UP for email updates: bravenewfilms.org/signup
Set up a free screening or house party for any of our films free: bravenewfilms.org/screenings
Facebook: Facebook.com/BraveNewFilms
Instagram: Instagram.com/BraveNewFilms
Twitter: twitter.com/BraveNewFilms
DONATE: bit.ly/BNF-donate
