The film is based on James Baldwin's 30-page unfinished manuscript for a novel. In a way, it "finishes" the work by incorporating other interviews and writings by Baldwin, and expanding on the themes through archival footage.
The film was deemed Best Documentary by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, took home the People's Choice Award from the Toronto International Film Festival, and won a creative recognition award from the International Documentary Association, to name a few.
This was one of 15 films included on the short list for the best feature documentary Oscar.
The word "Negro" is used 78 times in the film.