Reviews

Moon Blake (Jimmy Bennett) is an eleven-year-old boy who lives with his father in the deep forests of a national park in Alabama. They live in isolation, as the father is obsessed with the idea that the government wants to control them and their lives. When Moon's dad dies after an accident, Moon is left on his own. Alabama Moon follows the story of what happens to the boy in this coming of age drama/adventure.

"Bruno, The Dress Code" follows the life of a precocious wonder child, Bruno, as he deals with aggressive bullying from his peers and teachers, the absence of his father, and the (understandable) over-protection of his mother. It’s obviously a coming of age film about social acceptance. But it also rings true as a story about a child’s ability to know himself within and without, being fearless in the face of dangerous odds.

The 2002 coming-of-age drama Ulvepigen Tinke (The Little Big Girl), based on the novel Hungerbarnet by Cecil Bodker, tells the story of an eight-year-old girl (Sarah Juel Werner) who has to take care of herself after the death of her parents. In these modern days, when most films are filled with violence and meaningless special effects, Ulvepigen Tinke is much more than just another childhood story.

In 2010, Rick Stevenson directed Displaced, a moving short drama about a young boy who is having troubles adjusting to the foster homes he is being sent to.

A masterpiece of the Portuguese cinema, Jaime is a must see film for every fan of the coming of age genre. The story portrays the everyday life of a boy whose tough childhood is forcing him to enter into the exploitative world of underage employment, which little by little takes away his innocence.

The German film Second Hand Child (Wer küsst schon einen Leguan?) is powerful and touching and is guaranteed to evoke a whole range of emotions from its viewers (and may even induce a few tears in their eyes). The film has received acknowledgements from various festivals in Germany and abroad, winning the European Children's Film Prize and the Audience Award in 2003 and the "Best Children's Film" at the Children's Film Festival "Golden Sparrow".

The Von, directed by John Mavety, participated in the Tropfest competition and won a Young Talent Award for the performance of its lead, Jacob Bicknell.

If you are looking for a good family film to watch – the Norwegian Yohan - The Child Wanderer is a title you should definitely consider.

This coming of age film is based on the novel Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen and it follows the relationship of two kids, Juli Baker (Madeline Carroll) and Bryce Loski (Callan McAuliffe).

The quote, above, is from the opening of the coming of age film Kees de Jongen (Young Kees) based on the novel with the same name written by the popuar Dutch writer and educator Theo Thijssen. A great cast, in combination with the authentic settings and wardrobe, allows the viewer to really sense the atmosphere in the Netherlands in the early years of the 20th century.

The Sound of Music is a classic musical film. Indeed, many think it’s the best movie musical ever made. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the film’s release in 1965. In 1966, the film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards (Oscars), winning five – including Best Picture.

The film dealt with the ongoing discussion about video games and the influence they have on the minds of their young players. The film can be described as coming of age gone wrong, as the viewer observes how various factors such as music, games, isolation and bullying influence and shape the character of the main protagonist.