‘14th’ Review: Ava DuVernay’s Documentary Defends Constitution and Criticizes Trump
Ava DuVernay’s documentary 14th premiered as the closing-night film at the New York Film Festival. The review says the film opens with presidents taking the oath of office and contrasts that with Donald Trump’s comments about upholding the Constitution. It presents an impassioned defense of constitutional rights while taking aim at Trump.
Ava DuVernay directed 14th, which premiered Friday as the New York Film Festival’s closing-night selection. Its opening sequence gathers presidential oaths from FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Carter, and Reagan, each pledging to safeguard the Constitution.
The montage reaches Donald Trump’s oath as the 47th president, then shifts to his NBC News interview with Kristen Welker. Asked whether a president must uphold the Constitution, Trump says he does not know and mentions his lawyers. A caption also shows DuVernay with Dr. Carla Hayden, the librarian of Congress removed by Trump.
The film’s release may shape how some viewers think about presidential duties and constitutional accountability, especially audiences already engaged with political documentaries. By pairing past oaths with Trump’s remarks, it could intensify debates among filmgoers, critics, and civic groups about what the oath means. Its festival platform may amplify those conversations, though its influence on broader public opinion remains uncertain and likely depends on distribution and reception.