Growing Up
The films in the program Growing up capture almost chronologically the defining moments encountered by children and teenagers on their confusing journey to adulthood. There is a wide spectrum of both the joys and anguishes of growing up, while the stylistic choices of the filmmakers invite the viewer to perceive the world through their protagonists’ eyes.
Education deals with the absurdity of some teaching methods by observing with humour a number of primary school kids who endeavour, with the aid of their parents, to accomplish the impossbile task of learning by heart a poem not even an adult would find straightforward.
Whereas Long Grass meets its protagonists at the imprecise moments when they abandon childish games, slowly starting to perceive themselves as distinct human beings as they enter school, Urban Cowboys catches up with its protagonist at the following phase, that of early adolescence, marked by uncontrollable outbursts of (to the youngsters themselves) unexplainable fits of anger and affection. Following up, Couz composes a portrait of mid adolescence, following a group of teenagers during their perhaps last untroubled summer vacation, with the worries of adult life not yet in sight. Shindy Music tells the story of three children from various regions in Romania, who learn the artistry of traditional party music, and who start to carry the burdens of adults, as they dream of being able to financially support their whole families with their craft. The Bad Kids confronts us with a gloomy view on late adolescence and premature adulthood, focusing on the teenagers’ fear of having already compromised the possibility of leading a happy adult life by risking to miss out on a high school diploma. Providing a sympathetic instance of what it takes to enable children to learn and flourish, as well as an up-close illustration of some exceptional teachers, and just how it is they do what they do so well, School Life is one of those movies that leave a smile on our face as well as in your hearts.
Curatorial text and films presentations by Ioana Florescu