Attica (2021 film)

Attica is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Stanley Nelson. It chronicles the 1971 Attica Correctional Facility uprising and its aftermath. The film utilizes archival footage, interviews with former inmates, family members of hostages, and law enforcement officials to provide a detailed account of the events leading up to the riot, the four days of negotiation, and the brutal state-ordered assault that ended the standoff.

The documentary explores the prisoners' demands for better living conditions and political rights, placing the uprising within the context of the broader Civil Rights Movement and the prison reform movement of the era. It also examines the legacy of the Attica uprising and its impact on the American prison system. The film received critical acclaim for its comprehensive research, powerful storytelling, and its unflinching portrayal of the violence and systemic racism that fueled the tragedy. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.