Netflix has just landed an evocative documentary that promises to be a must-see this weekend.
Not only does it complement one of the top drama films from last year, but it also promises to enlighten viewers about an entirely different way of life, all within a succinct 30 minutes.
The talked-about short film is The Quilters, which has garnered an array of accolades and nominations across global film festivals during the past couple of years.
It delves into the day-to-day lives of a group of men at a Level 5 maximum-security prison finding redemption and purpose in the art of quilting.
Those who have had the chance to view The Quilters at film festivals are singing its praises loud and clear.
A viewer enthused on Letterboxd: “This was such a lovely short! It’s heartwarming to see these incarcerated men finding a way to give back to the community through their quilting.
“The documentary beautifully captures the raw emotions in their voices as they speak about their creations and the motivations behind them. It’s a poignant reminder that, while these men may have made serious mistakes, they still strive to bring joy and hope to others, showing a side of humanity that’s often overlooked.”
Another viewer enthused: “It was fun. It was sad. It made me really care about something I didn’t think I would be interested in.”
Scores of fans have drawn parallels between this and last year’s emotive drama Sing Sing, which also depicted a group of incarcerated men engaging in artistic endeavours.
Colman Domingo’s portrayal of ‘Divine G’ in the true-to-life tale earned him an Oscar nod, as he leads a transformative theatre programme for prisoners.
One Letterboxd user remarked: “Feels like a companion piece to Sing Sing,” highlighting the thematic resonance.
“Inmates learn every aspect of the quilting process and create hand-made, hand-designed quilts for foster children. The redemptive power of art, creation and community service are on full display. It’s also simultaneously sad to see some of the inmates lose these privileges.”
“Lovely. Would pair well with Sing Sing,” concurred another, appreciating the thematic harmony.
A final enthusiast suggested: “Makes for a good double screening with Sing Sing (2024), which also tackles how art [in that case, theatre; in this case, quilting] can be redemptive [and reformatory] for incarcerated people.”
They added: “I like how observant this short film was, how appropriately paced.”
For those with a spare half-hour this weekend, The Quilters comes highly recommended – it might just spark a newfound passion for the artistically-inclined.
The Quilters is available to stream on Netflix. Sing Sing is available to stream on Prime Video.