ABOUT THE FILM

The Canary is a poignant documentary short portraying a Michigan librarian and mother of a transgender child as she confronts the rising tide of book–banning in her community.  In the face of mounting censorship threats in the United States, from contentious school board meetings to community debates, courageous librarians find themselves at the forefront of a battle to protect the freedom to read. While book–banning has a historical precedent, the forced closure of a library in modern-day America is unprecedented. In a post-pandemic United States, legislators, activists, and parental rights groups have been part of a growing resurgence of book-banning in public libraries and schools.

Set against the backdrop of her community library’s impending closure due to censorship attempts and escalating threats against librarians, The Canary intimately explores the personal challenges she confronts, illuminating the profound impact of censorship on her family. Interweaving the imminent loss of the Patmos Library, fervent book–banning efforts, and her personal narrative, the documentary invites audiences to witness contemporary censorship challenges through the eyes of a dedicated library worker.

The Canary transcends mere commentary, emerging as a powerful human-interest story that sparks awareness of the current cultural divide in America and underscores the stakes involved. Metaphorically likening the librarian and her library to a ‘canary in the coal mine’, the film serves as a vital warning sign in today’s America. Through intimate storytelling and historical resonance, The Canary documents a pivotal moment in the fight against book-banning, urging viewers to take heed and safeguard intellectual freedom for future generations. 

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