Key Takeaways
• The Homegrown documentary follows three Proud Boys from summer 2020 through January 6, 2021.
• The film won praise overseas but still lacks a U.S. distributor.
• Americans seem to avoid stories about January 6 and political violence.
• You can rent the Homegrown documentary directly on its website from January 6 through February 16.
Inside the Homegrown Documentary
The Homegrown documentary dives into the world of a neo-fascist street gang. It focuses on three Proud Boys whose lives intersected with major U.S. events. First, you see them form alliances amid racial justice protests. Then you watch them plan and join the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Director Michael Premo offers an unfiltered view of how ordinary men can embrace extremist ideas. As a result, you feel the power of propaganda and group loyalty.
Premo made this film after his work with Occupy Wall Street and Hurricane Sandy relief. He saw how easy it is for democracy to crumble. Therefore, he decided to track these men from the summer of 2020 until the day they stormed Congress. The Homegrown documentary shows their doubts, regrets, and violent urges.
Why the Homegrown Documentary Faces U.S. Delays
Despite winning praise in Europe and South America, the Homegrown documentary has no U.S. distributor. Many Americans seem to want “light, happy fare” instead of hard truths. However, hearing about January 6 matters now more than ever. If we ignore this attack, we risk repeating it.
Premo says our national conversation on January 6 has been downplayed and diminished. As a result, the film has met strange rejection. Distributors tell him they love it, but they can’t take it. Meanwhile, viewers abroad streamed it eagerly. For example, it ranked sixth in New Zealand for a time. Yet in the U.S., you can only rent it on its own site.
Portraits of Three Proud Boys
The Homegrown documentary gives each man a full, human portrait. You see moments of kindness, self-reflection, and violence. Next, you learn how they fell into extremist circles.
Chris Quaglin
Chris Quaglin is a father-to-be who vandalizes a Black Lives Matter mural. He speaks openly about his fears for his unborn son. Soon after January 6, Quaglin fixed up a room for his baby. He said he joined the attack because something “had to be done.” Quaglin later pled guilty to assault and obstruction. He got a Trump pardon.
Thad Cisneros
Thad Cisneros is one of the few Latino leaders in the Proud Boys. He once joined a cross-ideological alliance against police violence. In the film, he admits feeling torn between loyalty and guilt. He wonders if his actions really make a difference.
Randy Ireland
Randy Ireland is an Air Force veteran who organized logistics for the group. He did the unglamorous work of moving people and gear. Yet a moment after the Capitol attack, he’s back on the street wearing a helmet and vest. He fires Airsoft rifles at protesters he calls “antifascists.”
The Risk of Forgetting January 6
People assume political violence stays in the past. However, filmmakers warn it does not. The Homegrown documentary reminds us foot soldiers wait in the wings. When a leader like Trump consolidates power, these men lose their role. Yet they stay ready for action. Maybe they’ll mobilize if a future election fight turns violent.
Moreover, Premo says Trump has bullied media companies and universities. He’s weakened institutions that used to check his power. So, today’s Proud Boys might no longer feel needed. But they are still a threat. They wait for when they are “needed again.”
How to Watch the Homegrown Documentary
If you live in the U.S., you can rent the Homegrown documentary directly on its website. The rental window runs from January 6 through February 16. The film costs a small fee. Once you pay, you can stream it on any device. This is your chance to see an honest look at the people behind the headlines.
Remember, streaming services often shy away from stories about political violence. Therefore, filmmakers sometimes go direct to viewers. This DIY approach shows how passionate they are about sharing their message.
Why You Should Care
It’s easy to think January 6 is far behind us. Yet this Homegrown documentary warns that extremism thrives when we look away. By watching it, you learn how ordinary people can become radicalized. You also see how groupthink can drive violence.
In addition, the film urges us to keep talking about what happened. If we stay silent, we risk forgetting key lessons. Democracy needs active citizens who question power and demand accountability.
Finally, the Homegrown documentary matters because it shows real faces behind a shocking event. It humanizes people we might want to dismiss as monsters. By understanding their motives, we can prevent another attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Homegrown documentary about?
The Homegrown documentary follows three Proud Boys as they join extremist violence from summer 2020 through January 6, 2021. It offers an inside look at their doubts, fears, and actions.
Why has the Homegrown documentary struggled to find a U.S. distributor?
Distributors say they like the film but worry American audiences prefer lighter entertainment. They fear political documentaries about January 6 won’t draw big viewership.
How can I watch the Homegrown documentary in the U.S.?
You can rent the Homegrown documentary on its website from January 6 to February 16. After paying, you can stream it on any device.
What lessons does the Homegrown documentary teach us?
The film teaches how ordinary men radicalize, the power of group loyalty, and the danger of forgetting past violence. It urges viewers to stay alert and hold leaders accountable.
