The documentary feature directed by Kim A. Snyder quotes Ray Bradbury among others,  to make a statement on what happened in the conservative community of Granbury, Texas, and a wide warning on how American School librarians have been targeted and even criminalized  for the act of selecting books from shelves if what rules are religious and political concerns.  Film provides an awful portrait of a polarized America and a somber future for the generations to come.

Going back in American history, 1953 and McCarthyism era resonates loud. The documentary refers to a  list of 850 books segregated from schools, the same books should be under lock and hidden in the dark. As we all know, knowledge is dangerous for some, and those who don´t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.

There is a political agenda that spreads from East to West North to South and repeats constantly, it states that several educational and history books, even novels and short stories are making damage for kids, parents in School Boards agree on this.  There is also a religious agenda where extremist pastors also share the wrong belief, so these forces go against the freedom to read.  To control a community you have to control their ideas, politics and religion do these in the name of God.

Film contains footage from a Joseph Goebbels´speech in Berlin in 1933 against Jewish intellectualism where books were burned, and a sequence at Mt. Juliet Tennessee in February 2022 where books and shelves were also burned, visual references are like two drops of water,  remarking that tolerance becomes a crime when evil is around.  Some scenes from 1966 movie Fahrenheit 451 are also included in the well presented narrative.

America is living under a red flag  and  any kind of diversity is the target,  there are banned book debates and there are banned book clubs also. The political agenda has a diligent advocate:  the organization Moms for Liberty, its members are young white middle class women aligned against free sex  and race-based teachings.  By the way, these mothers call the librarians “evil specialists. Be aware of them! 

Documentary shows how polarizing views have catastrophic effects.  Librarians are removed from their jobs just because they ask questions, and it may be just the tip of an iceberg. There is a religious war that takes away human rights.

This Film is so worth watching and provides information on how castrated and limited American new generations are growing up under the “protective” minds that surrounds them.  No good news for the future.  As the poster says, America´s war on book is more than a war on words.

Documentary premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2025 and won Grand Jury Prize at Dallas  International Film Fewtival 2025, it has just screened at Provincetown International Film Festival 

8/10