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The Rachel Divide

  • 2018
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
The Rachel Divide (2018)
Rachel Dolezal becomes a social phenomenon when she passes herself off as an African American and becomes the head of her local N.A.A.C.P. chapter.
Play trailer2:17
1 Video
8 Photos
Documentary

Rachel Dolezal becomes a social phenomenon when she passes herself off as an African American and becomes the head of her local N.A.A.C.P. chapter.Rachel Dolezal becomes a social phenomenon when she passes herself off as an African American and becomes the head of her local N.A.A.C.P. chapter.Rachel Dolezal becomes a social phenomenon when she passes herself off as an African American and becomes the head of her local N.A.A.C.P. chapter.

  • Director
    • Laura Brownson
  • Writers
    • Laura Brownson
    • Jeff Gilbert
  • Stars
    • Rachel Dolezal
    • Franklin Dolezal
    • Izaiah Dolezal
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Laura Brownson
    • Writers
      • Laura Brownson
      • Jeff Gilbert
    • Stars
      • Rachel Dolezal
      • Franklin Dolezal
      • Izaiah Dolezal
    • 55User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    Trailer

    Photos7

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    + 4
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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Rachel Dolezal
    Rachel Dolezal
    • Self - Former President NAACP, Spokane Washington
    Franklin Dolezal
    Franklin Dolezal
    • Self - Rachel's Son
    Izaiah Dolezal
    • Self - Rachel's Son
    Esther Dolezal
    • Self - Rachel's Sister
    Jeff Humphrey
    • Self - Local Television Reporter
    Shawn Vestal
    • Self - Local Journalist
    Kitara Johnson
    • Self - NAACP Member
    Latoya Brackett
    • Self - NAACP Member
    Sandra Williams
    • Self - Local Journalist
    Siobhan Abrams
    • Self - Rachel's Friend
    Ezra Dolezal
    • Self - Rachel's Brother
    Langston Dolezal
    • Self - Rachel's Infant Son
    Albert Wilkerson
    • Self - Father Figure
    Ronnie Gladden
    • Self - Professor
    Storms Reback
    • Self - Co-Author
    Vanessa Bayer
    Vanessa Bayer
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Tim Black
    Tim Black
    • Self
    Tamar Braxton
    Tamar Braxton
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • Laura Brownson
    • Writers
      • Laura Brownson
      • Jeff Gilbert
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews55

    6.32.8K
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    Featured reviews

    4cookie666

    A below average Netflix documentary

    While Rachel's story is interesting and raises many valid questions about race and identity, the viewer doesn't actually learn much about these topics. As a staple of Netflix documentaries, The Rachel Divide includes virtually no expert opinions or historical background or even contextual information - I would've loved to hear what actual scholars and researchers of race or identity think about this issue! - all we get is Rachel sharing her feelings and long scenes of her doing chores or talking to her family. And then of course a bunch of clips of people angrily reacting to the whole issue.

    I think it's a massive missed opportunity and although the ending desperately wants to ask the viewer "well what do you think?" there is almost nothing to base our opinions on.
    6adamsandel

    Sad story

    Poor thing is addicted to persecution and keeps seeking it out. I feel really bad for her black teenage sons who she keeps dragging through it.
    7ShaunV1990

    Black and White

    I'm from Belgium, so I never really experienced the scandal as Americans did. I can vaguely remember that it even made the newspapers here. I must have read this article years ago. When I opened Netflix I recognized Rachel. So I started watching.

    This documentary was actually better than I thought it would be. The main focus is clearly on Rachel herself, and how this scandal affects her children, family and in general her whole social life. From the beginning you get the straight feeling that this story is not an easy one to tell. There is no black and white (get it!? ;-) ), with a big lie in between. This is obviously a woman who has been struggling with her identity for many years. You do start to feel she cannot be categorized as a liar. That would just be to simple. I think Rachel does believe that she never really lied. Perhaps she was just really creative with the "truth", so she could continue being the person she loved the most. But when you ignore a certain part of you, it will come back to bite you. That's exactly what happened. Towards the end you do feel Rachel is pushing it. Her family is clearly crumbling, and trying to get away from her. I got the feeling she did see this happening, but just couldn't help herself. Her son was actually quite spot on: "You can't tell my mom what to do". Clearly frustrated. This kid just wishing for life getting back to normal. She's like a dog being hit with a stick and coming back for more. All this for acceptance she will never get.

    Being an European I do watch at identity a bit different than most Americans do. And I do feel this woman was born a few decades to early. Whether you like it or not, we've gone from a world to a little village in a few decades. Soon there will be no more "race". So identifying yourself with a certain culture will be a social choice. In that way I think the black community, understandably very hurt about the struggle they already had, made a big mistake here. Instead of demonizing this woman, they could have joined this idea. Making acceptance a universal thing. Not just related to the way you look and your skin color. Isn't this what they have been fighting for? Not being judged on the way you look, but who you are? Equal opportunities? Doesn't that go for a person, who is white but feels black? Or maybe it is just all very black and white. Who am I to say!?
    6naheedence

    6.5 for documentary length, 7 for actual documentary

    This documentary is well done and shows many sides of the saga of Rachel Dolezol. The saddest part of this story is how much her children suffer and because of her delusions and narsissm she cannot relate to what they are going through. She cares more about how she feels. Mental help for her and her boys would be very helpful. I liked seeing the perspectives of black folks who were apalled by her appropriation of black culture. I think her background tells us a lot about why she became who she is today. However, it was disturbing and focused on her book so much I wish it was shorter.
    5Mauseum

    The Reverse Michael Jackson

    This is an interesting story, and raises genuine issues but fails to delve into them deeply. The good part of the doco though is how it shows how Rachel's decisions and actions impacted on her kids and family. I do believe she needs help regarding a possible identity disorder and that her 13 year old son desperately requires some form of counselling. I have complete and utter empathy for her up bringing and the actual good work she did for the African American community, however, fluidity when it comes to ethnicity does not exist yet and probably won't anytime soon. I feel it would have been far better if she had just identified as neither race and explained that she feels a stronger connection to the black community (due to her kids) and that she doesn't want the same possible prejudices against her family. I think most people would have agreed with her feelings regarding this, could relate and be driven for change together.

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    Documentary

    Storyline

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    • Quotes

      Franklin: All my mom did is say she was black and people just lost their minds

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    FAQ14

    • How long is The Rachel Divide?Powered by Alexa

    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 27, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 黑白瑞秋
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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