‘Race to Nowhere’ Asks ‘When Does Homework Become Too Stressful?’

Abeles’ documentary was inspired by the 2008 suicide of 13-year-old Devon Marvin who took her own life due to school-related stress. Soon after, Abeles’ two children—one in elementary school, one in middle school—came home with stomach and headaches. They were tired and irritable and faced the early symptoms of childhood depression. The film follows her kids and six others aging from middle school to college through their trying academic experiences.