Bring Down The Walls

Bring Down The Walls (Phil Collins, 2020)

Bring Down The Walls is a documentary exploring the organisation, ‘Bring Down The Walls’ which is stationed in New York City. This organisation is dedicated to fighting injustices within the prison system and the mistreatment of the black and LGBTQ+ communities. Within this documentary, many themes and issues are explored by those who run the organisation, as well as other members involved. These topics include the relationship between black and queer communities and the police/prison system, the history and importance of house music, the class system, and the development of all these topics through the seventies and eighties up to today.

Throughout the film, the tone is constantly shifting between the seriousness and harsh reality which many black and queer Americans have struggled with due to the unfair treatment from the prison systems, and the upbeat freeing atmosphere created in the scenes which showcase the organisation’s club nights. This is where ‘Bring Down The Walls’ invites people of all communities and backgrounds to fight the cause in a much more inclusive and liberating way, involving dance and music. The transitions from scenes where members of the organisation share their emotional stories and experiences to the vibrant club scenes, are very effective at reminding the viewer what these people are fighting for, as these scenes project so much unity and energy for the movement. 

Written by Amber Allport