War. Child soldiers. A boy of fifteen forced against his will to join the army. Bamboo People is a novel by Indian author Mitali Perkins. It offers an intimate peek into the Coming-of-Age experiences of two teenagers who experience the horrors of the civil war in Burma (a small independent state that borders India and Thailand). Ethnic cleansing, child labor, slavery, human trafficking and a lack of freedom of speech are just few of the issues addressed in the story.
Some films can bore you to death with predictable narratives and slow paced action. Yet others manage to keep you in suspense, guessing what will happen next. The 2006 Dutch short film Birthday Boy, directed by Chris W. Mitchell, is doubtlessly of the latter kind.
The film appears to be shot utilizing hand-held cameras to emulate the home video recording of a birthday party for 11-year-old Sjoerd. At first, it appears that this is the typical pre-teen birthday featuring video games and treasure hunts, but soon the games the party guests play will put them into a hazardous situation.
Initially it was the film description on ShortFilmCentral.com that piqued my curiosity. It read: “It’s Sjoerd’s 11th birthday party and he’s got everything a modern boy could wish for. Now he just has to make sure he stays alive to enjoy it.“
With such a teaser, one could assume the film will feature action and surprising twists, but I didn’t as many surprises in the film’s scant seven minutes of screen time.
Birthday Boy features an original situation-driven narrative that really keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Recommended!
You can watch the film, below, courtesy of producer André Bos who shared it on his Vimeo account:
Are you ready? Really ready? For a WAR? Because I am and I DECLARE WAR!
Now that I got your attention, I’ll tell you about a film I just saw that’s wickedly cool and creative — its title: I Declare War. Nothing you can read or see can prepare you for the experience of seeing this 2012 film. It is unique! And that is a statement coming from a person who has seen hundreds of Coming-of-Age films.
Directed by Jason Lapeyre and Robert Wilson, I Declare War can be anything you want it to be: a war film, a drama, a romance, sci-fi, an adventure or a Coming-of-Age. And, if you prefer, you don’t even have to choose because it’s all those in one.
Essentially it is a film of a game – a game of war between two rival groups of boys. Think Stand By Me and War of the Buttons, both of which have clearly inspired Jason Lapeyre (who wrote the script in addition to co-directing the film). This tale is told with realism and fantasy mixed together as ingredients. Getting skeptical? Wondering why I would rave about a “childish film that focuses on a game …?”
The answer is – because it’s real! The film features first-class cinematography, which you would expect of an immense war-themed production like Spartacus or Rambo. The boys may be playing with wooden sticks, water balloons, binoculars or flying model planes, but they imagine and believe it’s a real war – so much so that the viewer starts believing too. Can you resist? I didn’t think so!
What makes this film seem so real? Well, to start with, the talent of the young cast and the devotion with which they play their roles. Each team is unique, comprised of unique “soldiers” with distinct personalities, strengths and weaknesses. There’s the Lone Ranger, the altar boy, the clever tactician, the mean enemy, the superhero, the leaders and the followers. During the course of the story you get to know each character by observing the kids who embody them. And just when you think you know them and can predict their actions, they manage to surprise you.
The film features stunning visuals, crisp images and brightly lit scenes. Realistic war audio effects are used throughout in such an effective manner that one feels in the midst of real battlefield action.
The narrative is filled with suspense, action and drama – cleverly scripted in a manner that won’t let you feel bored for the entire screen time of over an hour and a half. If you want to witness how clever direction and cinematic magic can transform an ordinary event into an extraordinary story, I Declare War is the film to see!
As soon as the final credits were rolling, I felt the impulse to get outside to play my own war games. I’m positive that if there were pals around at this hour I would have not hesitated for a minute. That’s how inspiring this film is. It made me recall a series of laser tag games I once played in New England, at which I was very good. My teacher told me that my being from the Balkans explained why I was so good at it (with the reputation soldiers from that region have). Growing up, my friends and I always played war themed games in the hills of the village where I spent my summer vacations – games that felt equally realistic to us then as the film now feels to its viewers….
I Declare War delivers a unique movie experience. Kids will love it – it’s tense enough to excite, yet perfectly suitable for audiences of all ages. I’ve struggled to think of a flaw to mention to balance out this review, but since nothing comes to mind – I will simply declare that I highly recommend it!
I Declare War Official Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2133239/combined
Lately I have been stumbling upon a lot of Coming-of-Age novels whose stories are set somewhere in the United States. Over time, I feel like I’m getting a better idea of what it must feel like to grow up there as compared to doing so in my own country.
The latest book I’ve just finished is titled Dead End in Norvelt and
Don’t be fooled by the title – Ghetto Kids. This is not just another crime-themed film glorifying gangsters or a shady way of life. Christian Wagner‘s 2002 flick is something much more – a shocking true-to-life story of immigrant life, of hopes and goodness, of poverty and richness of the heart. The sensationalist approach to cinema is missing, yet the disturbing authenticity of the story won’t leave you indifferent.
For some reason I am drawn to films, books and even photographs released years before I was born. With their vintage atmosphere, the retro style has a unique appeal that I find inspiring. Yet besides reviewing classic films and maybe mentioning a music band now and then, I rarely have the opportunity to discuss that passion of mine.
A few days ago, I stumbled upon a great short film, which was actually a combination of an American public service announcement and a funny commentary recorded by a team of comedians (Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy — and with Bill Corbett heckling). It was for a website called RiffTrax.
The short film with the intriguing title Rescueman was originally intended to educate youth on safety procedures while riding on school buses. Or, in other words, what kids should do if an emergency should arise while they are riding the bus. To make things easier for the kids to grasp, the story is told from the view point of a young boy – Scotty – who is obsessed with a superhero named Rescueman. Such a lesson could be useful and interesting and, with the audio commentary added, it’s transformed into a hilarious clip. The older readers of this article may recall the original public broadcast from their school years and kids nowadays will enjoy it immensely; I know I did (thanks to the retro aesthetics plus the creativity of the narrative).
See what I mean for yourself in this short clip:
http://youtu.be/eLAiXsVOyS8
A quick exploration of the RiffTrax website resulted in many titles shot with young actors such as: When Should Grown-ups Stop Fights?, The Other Fellow’s Feelings, Ghost Rider, Safety with Animals, Say No to Strangers, Sailing a Toy Boat…to name but a few. Such public announcements were frequently shown at schools in the past and, while that is rarely the case nowadays, RiffTrax short films breathe a new life into them.
While viewers of these shorts may have a good laugh at the commentary, it’s almost guaranteed that some of the undoubtedly helpful messages embedded in the films would reach young and older audiences alike. All short films featured on the RIffTrax website come with a teaser and cost less than a dollar to buy and own.
Promising RiffTrax shorts :
With its beautiful score and atmospheric opening credits, one might expect a lot from the 2012 Dutch film Milo. But unfortunately its Coming-of-Age narrative, focusing on the experiences of a 10-year-old boy whose life is religiously controlled by his father, fails to keep the attention of the viewer.
These days dysfunctional families are more of a norm than the exception, which is probably the reason why so many Coming-of-Age films feature narratives that focus on the effect that family troubles have on youths. Such is the case with the 2009 short film from Denmark – The Song (Sangen).
In only fifteen minutes, Director Daniel Kragh-Jacobsen manages to explore issues such as forgotten feelings, father-son relationships and bullying
While looking for good Coming-of-Age novels to read, Fred Gipson‘s book Old Yeller was recommended. I read it over the course of two days – and although it did not turn to be as sappy as I was warned it may be – it inspired me to seek out the 1957 Disney film based on the novel. Having seen it, I decided to review the movie instead of the book as, for some reason, I found it much more moving than the book – something of a rare occurrence in my experience. Additionally, while the film adaptation generally followed the story related in the book closely, unlike the novel, it did not include the spoilers that give away the ending.
The story of Old Yeller is set in 1869 on a farm in a remote settlement in Texas. A family of four is making a living in the harsh conditions of the American frontier thanks to a lot of hard work. When Jim Coates (Fess Parker) has to leave his family to go on a cattle drive that could take months, his 14-year-old son Travis (Tommy Kirk) takes care of the family in his absence. One day, a stray yellow dog evokes havoc on the farm and later steals some meat that had been hung up to dry. Travis is outraged, but his younger brother Arliss (Kevin Corcoran) falls in love with the mischievous dog and claims it over his brother’s protests. The dog, however, turns out to be a great pal and protector for the family and soon proves his loyalty by saving the lives of both brothers on different occasions.
Essentially Old Yeller is a classic example of a Disney family-oriented animal adventure story, with the potential to appeal to young and adult audiences alike. While more Coming-of-Age value lies within the pages of the book (thanks to its first-person narrative told from Travis’s viewpoint), it’s not absent from the film — especially in the final scenes that feature a touching conversation between father and son.
The best actors in the movie are undoubtedly the animals led by a dog as the title character, making the film a real treat for young viewers. The story is fast-paced and exciting enough to hold the attention of its audiences. If I have any complaint, it would be directed at the musical score, which features way too many non-diegetic sounds intended to boost the dramatic effect of the film’s events and scenes. If you enjoy the movie, you may be singing its theme song as the final credits roll, but if you don’t, it’s likely to be a bit of an annoyance due to its somewhat hackneyed sound. On the positive side, the dialogue between the characters is charming, thanks to their old-fashioned accents.
Spiritual relationships and the reliance between boy and dog is one of the prominent motifs of the story. Still, the author also empathizes with the journey towards manhood of the teenaged Travis, who accepts adult responsibilities and learns to deal with the destitution of the hard frontier life.
Old Yeller Theme Song
We are in the middle of 2013 and it’s time to think of films belonging to the Coming-of-Age genre that have already been or will be released in the current year. The quality of any film is rarely affected by the year in which it’s released. That’s why on TheSKyKid.com both new releases and classics are reviewed. Yet it is it’s always interesting to know what is in the works …
Directed by the Daniel Joseph Borgman, this film (a co-production between New Zealand, Denmark and Sweden) already had its debut at the Berlinale Film Festival. Its story emphasizes the loneliness and isolation perceived from the view point of an 11-year-old boy named Adrian (played by Demos Murphy). Its extended synopsis as published on Berlinale’s web site includes a sentence that by itself was enough to spark my interest:
“…universal story for adults and those who have never wanted to grow up…”
The Weight of Elephants International Trailer
Run Bhoomi Champs Don’t Cry is one of the many Coming-of-Age films from India to be released in 2013. The sports oriented film tells the story of a 15-year-old girl who is devoted to winning a 16 km cross-country race … at any cost. Along the way, she has to overcome many obstacles, learn to believe in herself and inspire others. The plot seems akin to that of the 2004 Canadian drama Saint Ralph, but a girl in the lead role and the fact that the film is a Bollywood production (expect a great soundtrack) hints of a unique approach to the classic motivational Coming-of-Age film. On its official web site, the promoters of the movie promise that its viewers will be “totally riveted with a subliminal ‘CAN DO’ message for children, and how patience & perseverance can overcome mountains.”
Run Bhoomi Champs Don’t Cry Trailer
http://youtu.be/69I6Jkb5ePw
One of the greatest benefits of following the new releases in the Coming-of-Age genre is the discovery of newcomers among the young actors chosen to play the lead roles. Yet I will admit that seeing the name of Spencer List (who previously starred in the funny 2011 comedy-drama Bringing up Bobby) is what made me interested in this film; that and the implied controversy about the film’s plot (judging from the trailer and the synopsis). Take a look:
“Oliver Nicholas, thirteen years old, is well-poised to enter the precocious teenage world of first-sex, vodka and possible-love in New York City.”
Spaz Trailer
Based on the classic characters of Mark Twain, this newest film about life on the Mississippi from an earlier time period is an adaptation of Carl May’s novel Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn and is one of the most expected films of the year. When it comes to a Coming-of-Age narrative, it doesn’t get much better than the story of Tom and Huck – and I do envy youngsters who will discover their story for the very first time. The stars of this production are Joel Courtney and Jake T. Austin. With a story done as often as this one, I’m sure many will compare this film with one (or more) of the previous adaptations. I know I will do that with several German versions. I’ll be curious to see how well this new release fares in comparison. I may be a bit biased since this adaptation was filmed in Bulgaria, which has been frequently chosen as a filming destination by directors in the past few years.
Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn – Trailer
Probably the most well-known Coming-of-Age film from Mexico is Y Tu Mamá También. Director Diego Quemada-Diez has a chance to change that with his poignant drama The Golden Cage (La Jaula de Oro). The story focuses on three teenagers who attempt to illegally cross the Mexican-American border in pursuit of a better future for themselves. Having some first-hand experience with immigration, I hope this film will succeed in telling the true story, for the grass is not always greener on the other side! Like in Y Tu Mamá También, the lead characters in The Golden Cage are two boys and a girl.
The Golden Cage (La Jaula de Oro) Trailer
Matei Child Miner (Matei Copil Miner), by the Romanian director Alexandra Gulea, has a classical Coming-of-Age structure – overcoming hardships to become the person one ought to be, but often at the price of innocence. Some people prefer not to watch overly dramatic, realistic productions about hard childhoods, claiming that life is hard enough as it is without getting further depressed by watching a film. Yet it’s usually from that kind of film that one can learn a lot of things about oneself. I urge you to checkout the director’s statement published on the Festivalscope website .
Matei Copil Miner Trailer
These are just few of the many films with a Coming-of-Age narrative that are to be released in 2013. Some of them could potentially be nominated in the next issue of the Coming-of-Age Movie Awards, which TheSkyKid.com presents on an annual basis. Other 2013 titles in the genre include:
You can find all of them by exploring the Ultimate Coming of Age Movie List that TheSkyKid.com maintains on IMDB.
Shadow Of A Midsummer Night ( Midsommernattens Skygge) is a short Coming-of-Age film from Norway about a nine-year-old boy who loses his friend in an accident.
The movie focuses on friendship, grief, support and overcoming sorrow. Beautiful cinematography (courtesy of Kai Miedendorp) relying on lens flare, and bright, warm colors evoke an almost fairy-tale sense of the picture.
Today I will review a book that was considered controversial when it was first released (back in 1969). It is a book written by John Donovan and has a rather intriguing title: I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth The Trip. The protagonist of the book is a 13-year-old boy named Davy who has to move from a small town in Massachusetts to New York to live with his mother, after the death of his beloved grandmother who took care of him ever since his parents divorced more than five years before. The boy describes the horrid experiences of losing someone you love and having to adjust to a completely new environment:
“There aren’t many adults I have anything to say to, and now there is one less, with Grandmother dead.”
The only friend who accompanies Davy is Fred, an adorable dog that was given to him as a birthday present by his late Grandmother. In an affectionate voice, Davy shares the many experiences and adventures he and his dog go through. While his mother sees Fred as a “beasty animal”, Davy is positive that the dog understands his every word.
Davy’s mother works as an advertising agent and is not used to having kids around; even her own son irritates her. The fact that she has developed a problem with alcohol makes things even worse for the young teenager. She is constantly after the boy, telling him how her life is being wasted because of him:
“She says I can run away with my dog all I want, but that when I come home I will be coming home to Mother, and I’d better not forget that because it’s Mother’s life that is being wasted …”
At the new private school in Manhattan to which Davy is sent (despite the fact there is an abundance of public schools near the snotty apartment he shares with his mother), Davy meets Altschuler- a boy who despises Davy at first (because the new kid has taken the place of his best friend who is sick with leukemia and has had to stop attending school). Altschuler is a popular kid at the school and doesn’t lack confidence, which Davy (while mature beyond his years) is still to attain. So the boys’ relationship is off to a rocky start, but it soon develops in an unexpected direction…
As I mentioned, the book was considered controversial for its time due to its subject matter: a Young Adult text that addressed attraction to the same sex. Yet, as much as I’ve tried, I can’t get myself to label the book controversial as it focuses more on Davy’s growing up experiences than on the discovery of his sexuality.
I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip is a Coming-of-Age novel, but its narrative cannot be categorized as a “Coming-Out” book. For one thing, the relationship between Davy and his dog would make the novel a better fit for animal lovers (is there a boy who doesn’t love his pet?). But while the book is not controversial, it features an engaging first person narrative coming from a boy who has been emotionally repressed following the demise of his favorite Grandmother. Davy’s remarks about the people that surround him are witty which makes for a satisfying reading experience:
“When people try to hide things from you, they shouldn’t be nice to you. They ought to ignore you or throw a pie at you or do something other than smile …”
I, for one, found it extremely easy to associate with Davy and his experiences (some of which I have been fortunate or unfortunate enough to share) and kept rooting for him to settle in that new environment and find a real friend. For a book written more than 40 years ago, I did not find it dated – which makes it timeless, even if I’d hesitate to call it a Classic. It took me a while to understand why Davy was living with his grandmother and where his parents were, but once he moved to New York things started to make sense.
I read this book in the course of three days, finding myself thinking about its story even while I was not reading it, which I guess evidences how interesting I found it. As a Coming-of-Age account, the book is good — not one of the best I have read — but definitely not a disappointment.
Get yourself a copy of I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip