Day 18: Kidulthood

"Before Adulthood..... Comes Kidulthood"

Teenage pregnancy, gun crime and suicide are three issues that is likely to come across in almost any newspaper everyday in Britain. Britain's streets are currently the most vicious and unsafe generation our nation has ever seen. With no respect and no morals, this film portrays a detailed insight of real life events in London.

Much like the 1995 Larry Clark film, Kids, Kidulthood is a "supposed" day in the life of teenagers, a british film that took just £600,000 to make, the film gives us an insight of teenage life in London. Although the film has some far fetched events in the movie, unfortunately it tells the truth of what teenagers get up to in Britain. It will make Parents want to never let their teenages out again.

The cast are all upcoming actors from London and do a good job in portraying the teenagers, some notable actors who stared in the movie include Nicholas Hoult (about a boy, skins),and Adam Deacon (Dead Set, Shank). As it Is a low budget film, don’t expect an Oscar winning performance from the actors but expect a solid portrayal.

What does Kidulthood mean? The teenagers in the movie are not quite Kids but still aren’t classed as adults. Their in between kids and adulthood which gives us the name of the movie. Noel Clarke plays Sam, the sixth former who uses the school playground as his personal freedom. His reign of terror comes under threat, when a schoolgirl commits suicide due to his gang persistently bullying her. A day off to mourn and remember the falling schoolgirl is far from what their classmates we learn to hate do. Roaming the streets of London, causing mayhem and breaking the law, they find themselves in situations only teenages can get themselves out off. Pregnancy, drugs, sex, robbery, prostitution, alcohol, violence, weapons and death all in one day, what else do you need?. Kidulthood also shys away from the teenage lifestyle and comes across adults briefly taking advantage of peer pressured teens and their need to fit into society. The movie is not all dark, it does have it’s funny moments and has a great soundtrack to fit into this great movie feauring songs from british artists Dizzee Rascal and The Streets. However the movie does have it’s downfalls, although the ending is suprising, it is disappointing and you come away with unanswered questions. Luckily there is a sequel to Kidulthood called Adulthood which answers the questions in the 1st movie.

Challenging stereotypes and exploring real issues Noel Clark (writer and actor of Kidulthood) gives an ultra-realist snapshot of Britain today and does a great job in detailing the streets of London. Although the cockney slang may confuse and limit the audience it still provides a realistic approach to the film. It’s an unusual film and is something which doesn’t usually appear on our screens too much, especially when it gives a negative look on our generation. Some Newspapers wanted it to be banned as it gives a graphic and exaggerated view on teenagers but it was rightly dismissed. It’s a movie I would recommend to anyone especially overseas audience as it gives them a rare look of what teenagers get up too on the streets of London.

The movie has been compared to a mix of Grange Hill, City of God and trainspotting, yes the movie is exaggerated to a certain point but it shows an outline of the chilling events that does happen in Britain on a daily occurrence. For a low budget film Kidulthood is an excellent movie and is well directed by Menhaj Huda.