The Teen Screen Lineup Aims to Transcend the Classic ‘Coming of Age’ Genre
Written by Quinn Jennings
Even if you are not a frequent festival attendee, everybody is familiar with the coming of age or teen genre of film on some level. These movies can define or inspire us in ways that we never forget and never tire of watching regularly. They connect with audiences through the ways they reflect arguably the hardest transition in life, whether it is a comedic, dramatic, or contemporary take. Leaving one’s childhood behind and experiencing a loss of innocence requires an immense amount of personal growth, but I would argue that you are never past the age where you can be impacted by a coming of age movie.
In both the feature and short films I watched as a member of the Teen Screen Selection Committee, the messages in these mediums were ones that I had never seen showcased on screen. I had an amazing experience watching so many films that encapsulate such a wide spectrum of perspectives and different cultures, and I always enjoyed discussing the films with the other members of Teen Screen.
During the first few Teen Screen Committee meetings, our group discussed how we wanted to define our philosophies for reviewing films and the goals to set for what we wanted audiences to see. Eventually, we arrived at the conclusion that our selections should highlight unconventional and underrepresented stories. Every one of us could agree that the repetitive plot points which often make coming of age movies relatable are in desperate need of expansion.
The films we chose utilize unique and innovative ways to tell their stories without being constricted with the worries about catering to have an appeal to a large audience in the ways mainstream teen movies are often constructed to be broad and relatable; many of these films may be outside the scope of one’s own experience, but the themes rise above and go beyond the traditional overplayed plots and stereotypical character tropes that coming of age films limit their audiences to see. They are unapologetically honest and effective in conveying gripping motifs that deserve to be exposed to larger audiences. I am so proud to be a part of the team responsible for sharing these films at the 2021 Milwaukee Film Festival, and I highly recommend teens and adults to explore the Teen Screen lineup.
Along with the ‘After Dark’ collection of shorts, my personal favorite films in the lineup are Cocoon, My Name is Baghdad, and Try Harder! All three of these films will join my list of timeless stories. They are all so different: in language, where they come from, and the stories they present. However, I think they will all age well since they are a more modern and realistic portrayal of teen experiences and struggles. I am so thankful I got to see these films as a part of Teen Screen, and I look forward to hearing thoughts from others as more people get to watch them virtually as a part of the festival. Between the feature length films and two short film programs, there is truly a film for every person who attends. Happy viewing!
Hekademia - Teaser from See Horse Films on Vimeo.
Quinn Jennings is a prized member of our Teen Screen Programming Committee. Click the incredible Teen Screen poster (designed by the committee themselves!) below to check out the entire slate of films, including Try Harder!, they hand-selected for #MFF2021.
Posted by: Tom Fuchs