This New Debarge Documentary looks Sad as HELL!

[Doobie Doo]

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Debarge [2025] new documentary at Slamdance Film Festival​

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I've been seeing some coverage of this new film directed by Matthew Siretta which just had its premiere at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. It had a mention in the LA Times' coverage of the festival.

I can't embed vimeo videos here, but there's a teaser trailer there:

It looks like this was mostly filmed in 2021, focusing mostly on James and Randy DeBarge who were living on the streets of LA in an RV. Not surprisingly, not all members of the family are thrilled with this release. Their issues are well-known, but this it looks to be one of the most serious, honest depictions of where some of the family have ended up.

Here's a review from the Unseen Films blog:


This is a look at the life of the members of the DeBarge family through the story of James DeBarge. 40 years ago they were at the top of pop charts, now they are living in poverty.

Don't go into this film looking to hear the hits and feel good, that isn't this film. In a world where we are getting glorious tribute films where performers look back the glories of their lives, we finally get a film about the the dark side of fame. It's a heartbreaking tale of some performers who not only fell from the top but fell into the dumpster.

I honestly don't know what to say but this film hit me like a ton of bricks. Its my own fault since thanks to a steady stream of happy docs I kind of forgot that this sort of thing can happen. Truth be told if you know any aspiring stars main lining triumphant docs about the entertainment industry they need to be shown this so they know what can happen.

This film is going to make you stare at the the screen slack jaw and disbelieving and as such is recommended.

 

[Whore D'oeuvres]

I gotta check this out. I know the Debarge fam always had it rough despite fame. Abuse, drugs. Sad to see it's still ongoing.

 

[Theo Penn]

Generational curse.

 

[⠀X ⠀]

Wow. Gonna check for this. El seems to be doing ok. I never hear about the others though.

 

[shopthatwrecks]

james n el life is a roller coaster...el knows how to bounce back

 

[Dem313wayz]

 

[Da King]

Don’t do drugs

 

[King]

As if reading their story up on Wikipedia 10 years ago wasn't bad enough.... sheesh

 

[Tair]

I gotta check this out. I know the Debarge fam always had it rough despite fame. Abuse, drugs. Sad to see it's still ongoing.

shyt is very unfortunate.

 

[onlylno]

Is there a book about what happened?

 

[General Mills]

For us Old Heads back in the day the Debarges had all females in shambles.

 

[levitate]

The singer?

 

[head shots101]

Light skin nikkaz age bad

 

[Yagirlcheatinonus]

but but but but they got light skin and good hair

 

[Spiider]

What the hell happened?