Bad Axe

This is a family story – of a time, a place, an event, a community – in all its rich and quiet nuance, with all the members, related by blood or by affection, given their space.

A stirring tribute to strong family ties and triumphing over adversity.

“Bad Axe” comes out the most organic, showing not telling about this family of immigrants and their bonds to get through the toughest times.

...a curious, compassionate portrait of a country, community, and family in flux. And as socio-politically topical as it is, what lingers are the emotionally introspective ways the family members change during this volatile time.

A penetrating assessment of American society at the time of the pandemic.

Even if Siev wants “Bad Axe” to emerge as an ode to his family’s strength, the film feels more like a home video exercise.

Bad Axe is more than just a documentary about a family-owned restaurant trying to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's also an emotionally stirring and heartfelt story about immigration, dealing with bigotry, and the significance of family legacies.

[It] proves an unforgettable indictment on the US political machine fanning flames of hate and a personal, inspirational story of fighting back—with words, actions, and a refusal to let anyone pretend the Sievs don't deserve to call this flawed town home.

A document that will gather more value with each passing year...

Bad Axe brings back, with the intensity of a bad dream, memories of the annus horribilis of 2020, from the COVID-19 outbreak, to the BLM demonstrations, to MAGA at its worst. But it ends on a high note...