Through my work I often end up in situations where I am being asked questions starting:
"Why is it that young people are not interested in..."
"Are young people..."
"My children told me that young people today..."
Usually I get slightly annoyed and attempt to show the foolishness of the approach with phrases like "well, the middle-aged mostly like". It often feels that reactions to youth have the following options: fear, scaremongering, overoptimism, condescension and ignorance. I hope StrangerFestival can broaden a few minds in that respect (website live, www.strangerfestival.com!)
Now, after tonight, I have a better answer to the fools: go and see Juno. The film starring the exceptionally talented Ellen Page (picture) as a 16-year-old who finds herself pregnant shows what keeps youth workers, teachers and youth journalists going: the wit, intelligence, empathy and enthusiasm of teens. Juno also reminds you how we adults are so often so shitscared for saying things as they are and feeling things like it feels natural.The film's dialogue is out of this planet: it is extremely clever, challenging and honest - just like the best discussions I have had in my work with people between 16-20 years of age. As an example, Juno's friend's reaction to the news about her being pregnant:"What? Honest to blog? Are you sure it's not a food baby? Did you eat a big lunch?"
And most of all, the film is superromantic. I mean seriously. Who would not like to be described by their spouse:"He is the cheese to my macaroni."
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Bye-bye 2024, I won’t miss you.
1 day ago
1 comment:
This middle-aged lady recently skipped work to go and see this film in the middle of the day. It is a delightful film, and the main character Juno is simply magnificent in all her freshness. I am now also expecting great things of the actress, Ellen Page. The parents in the film are equally fantastic, and rarely seen on film as they seem to understand and appreciate their teen daughter very well. Inspirational film.
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