Boys State: Apple Original Film's Directors Stop by to Discuss the Film

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My guests Amanda McBain and Jesse Moss are the co-directors and producers of the new Apple TV Plus documentary ‘Boys State’. The documentary follows the journey of four boys taking part in a programme where they attempt to build a representative government from the ground up.

As you can expect from a group of teenagers, we see a mixture of idealistic youth ingenuity, and a 'Lord of the Flies' type of scenario unfold. What begins as a political programme turns into a beautiful coming of age story as we see the way these boys change as they attempt to gain political power.

It is both a hilarious look at American politics, and a shocking reality of what being involved in politics can do to even the most admirable of people.

Available to watch on Apple TV+ and Netflix, the film is thought-provoking, inspiring, and at times downright terrifying...

“Justice, fairness, and equality is a struggle. As much as we wanted a happy ending, it’s really about living to fight another day.” - Amanda McBaine  

Time Stamps:

01:13 - What the new Apple TV+ documentary ‘Boys State’ is about.
03:32 - The trailer for ‘Boys State’.
11:29 - How Jesse found out about the program and what made him make a film about it.
13:30 - How many of these kids’ views are authentic and how many of them are just looking for acceptance.
19:28 - How having cameras may have influenced the ways the boys were acting.
21:56 - How they chose who to film and what to focus on.
24:55 - The different takeaways the boys gained from their time in the program.
30:03 - The planned sequel of ‘Girls State’.
31:46 - The prevalence of the program across America, and why they chose to film the one in Texas.
36:04 - The enduring love and optimism the candidate Stephen has.
38:16 - The increased political awareness that young people have now.
40:21 - The contest of optimism and cynicism that is prevalent in our society.
42:17 - How the program is able to separate ‘real’ politics with their ‘simulated’ election.
47:55 - The ways that some people are naturally made for politics.
52:32 - The performative aspect of politics and how that helps create a space to explore teenage identity.
55:40 - What the food was like at the program.

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