What is the special daddy-daughter dance initiative for incarcerated fathers? Details explored ahead of Daughters on Netflix

Netflix's latest documentary Daughters shines a spotlight on a unique and emotional initiative - a daddy-daughter dance for incarcerated fathers. The project is the brainchild of Angela Patton, CEO of the nonprofit Girls for a Change, and was brought to life in a touching film directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae.

Released on Netflix, the documentary shows the emotional reunion of fathers and their daughters, diving deep into the challenges and triumphs of parenting from behind bars. With executive production credits to Kerry Washington, the film debuted with high expectations and has been moving audiences since its premiere.

The special daddy-daughter dance initiative for incarcerated fathers is a program designed to strengthen the bond between fathers in prison and their daughters. It allows them to share a moment of normalcy and connection through a dance event held within the prison, helping fathers engage physically and emotionally with their daughters and mitigate the impact of incarceration on their relationship.

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What does the Daughters documentary on Netflix feature?

The film follows the journey of four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers at a special daddy-daughter dance, organized inside a Washington, D.C. prison, and spotlights the "Date with Dad" initiative which is a major effort by Patton who has been dedicated to the cause through her nonprofit Girls for a Change.

The film goes into the emotional preparation that the daughters and fathers undergo leading up to the dance. Fathers participate in a 12-week program, facilitated by fatherhood coach Chad Morris who helps them with their feelings and prepares them to meet their daughters for the first time in years in a physical setting.

"Having the dance is a pivotal moment for them in their trajectory, but they need support as well," fatherhood coach Chad Morris pointed out.

The daughters, guided by the supportive framework of Girls for a Change, share their anticipation and mixed emotions about reconnecting with their fathers.

Viewers can witness the raw and unfiltered reality of these young girls as they articulate their feelings about their fathers' incarceration. They express everything, from love and longing to confusion and anger, providing a multidimensional view of the impacts of incarceration on family dynamics.

The documentary brings to light the broader implications of incarceration on families and humanizes the fathers steering clear of their criminal records to focus on their roles as parents.

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Directors Patton and Rae made sure the documentary was respectful and sensitive, and they managed to film the essence of the initiative without exploiting the participants’ vulnerabilities. The involvement of executive producer Kerry Washington also speaks to the film's credibility and its commitment to addressing social issues with the care they deserve.

"I didn’t see anyone else showing up for Black girls the way that I felt that they deserve," shared co-director Angela Patton.

Natalie Rae, her fellow director, spoke on the emotional depth of the project.

"I had a vision of how powerful I thought the dance was going to be." she said.

Throughout the documentary, the impact of the dance is palpable as it's not only seen in the joy and tears during the event itself but also in the broader discussions it sparks regarding the need for more compassionate policies toward incarcerated individuals, particularly those with families on the outside.

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Audiences can stream the documentary on Netflix.