PREMIERE

PREMIERE

Glendora World Premiere on January 16 was a wonderful success, thanks to Glendora Collaborative members’s presence- Detria M. Jones, BUTCHY and Mayor Johnnie B. Thomas. Thanksto Dances With Films for our screening and to everyone who attended!

REVIEWS

Screen Space- Simon Foster

https://screenspace.substack.com/p/streets-of-fire-films-to-fuel-your

“Armand’s work offers a Wiseman-like tour-de-force of observational cinematic storytelling; one never senses her camera is intrusive, but the images it captures are indelibly insightful.”

Cafe Con Pam- Pam Covarrubias

https://www.cafeconpam.com/the-pour-over/glendora-review

"Armand made a film that respects both the viewer's intelligence and the subjects' dignity. She trusts us to sit with complexity. She trusts Glendora residents to tell their own stories in their own time. Glendora is a masterclass in what it means to witness without exploiting. That's rare. See this film."

Overly Honest Movie Reviews -Chris Jones

https://mailnewsgroup.com/ohmr/a-town-rarely-seen-on-its-own-terms/

"GLENDORA does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a thoughtful, powerful documentary that values trust over spectacle and presence over persuasion. It will hold your attention for days afterward, carrying with it the sense that you’ve been allowed into a place that rarely gets to speak for itself. That restraint, and the care behind it, are what make GLENDORA worth engaging with."

"Music plays a particularly meaningful role, thanks to Butchy Rainey’s extensive contributions as both subject and soundtrack designer. His work doesn’t feel layered on for emotional effect; it grows directly out of the community being portrayed. Rap becomes a form of expression, mourning, ambition, and connection."

Reel News Daily- Liz Whittemore

https://reelnewsdaily.com/2026/01/12/glendora-dwf-ny-2026-american-lesson/

"GLENDORA follows the lives of a community steeped in the true identity of America.Glendora is a snapshot of America’s authentic history of racial atrocities and economic disparity, but the strength of Black culture, excellence, empathy, and community shine brightest in Glendora. Their genuine pride is infectious. This country can learn from its relentless spirit to equally honor the past and change the future. "

Sirk TV- Tim Wassberg

https://www.sirktv.com/irfests/fest-track-on-sirk-tv-film-review-glendora-dances-with-films-ny-new-york-new-york

"Director Isabelle Armand captures this slice in time with a gentle touch that doesn't shy away from the harder realities but also tells of those moments of joy and memory. She documents it so other can see and that is the best form of such a chronicle."

The Movies Podcast- Daniel Berrios

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uAX5aFHFLCekqsV4xdbS7?si=b1bf97e0268f4aac&nd=1&dlsi=1a737d361fa645da

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/231-glendora-2026-dir-isabelle-armand/id1541734640?i=1000745019435

“Shot with the vibrancy and resilience of this community. The spirit and joy is lovingly portrayed in this film. There's an immediacy in this cultural history. Unique. Watch it."

Unseen Films- Steve Kopian

http://www.unseenfilms.net/2026/01/glendora-2026-dances-with-films-new.html

" It is a quietly powerful film about a community that speaks volumes about the basic good nature of humanity.

I was moved. There is a simplicity to it all that it allows the life of the people on screen to bleed out and go into the seats. That filmmaker Isabelle Armand manages to do this speaks volumes about their skill in showing life as lived. This is (low key) cinematic magic that will put this film, and the people we meet in it, deep into your heart. Highly recommended.”

Wasteland Reviewer- Shane Conto

https://youtu.be/6yvN9zejYvo?si=zKj3QxHwuM1y6rOF

"Quite moving. You get fully enveloped in this community. This is a very human experience. So much life, so much vibrancy and so much joy. It feels so raw and real and authentic. It's so joyous. “

PRESS

Queens Gazette- Nicollette Barsamian

“An intricate portrait of a town; visually stunning. Pure artistry and peak journalism.”

Reel In Films- John Ramos

“Glendora is a magnificent exploration of culture, history and community. Where it takes you to the heart of what a community is.”

Big Blend Radio- Nancy Reid

"A moving testament to the Mississippi Delta, Glendora reveals how the bonds of family and home transform structural
scarcity into profound community resilience."

Just Talkin With Sam - Sam McClain

"Glendora is a love letter to a vibrant, tightly knit African-American community whose strength, resilience, and creativity thrive in spite of economic fragility and gives profound cultural wealth to its community.”

Autimagination Podcast- Pup Duffy

“The spirit and resilience of a small town in Mississippi shines brightly in the documentary "Glendora". With less than 200 residents, Glendora faces economic challenges with passion, creativity, and community. Filmmaker and photographer Isabelle Armand's breathtakingly beautiful film shares the dreams and struggles of the people of this tiny but historically profound place.”

Film Factual- Karen Benardello

“Glendora is a haunting and humane portrait of a place caught between past and present. With remarkable sensitivity, Glendora is a quietly powerful documentary that captures the soul of the people who shaped it. Deeply moving and intriguingly tender, the film is an elegy, a love letter and a reckoning to the titular village all at once. Intimate and beautifully observed, it lingers long after the final frame.”

Screen Fish- Steve Norton

“Glendora is an essential look at a community that leans towards the future but still recognizes the past. It's a powerful exploration of family, joy and hope in a space that threatens to steal that from you. Absolutely incredible.”