Children are our repositories of hope for the future, possessing a magical innocence we mustn’t spoil. But as Genevieve Bailey’s wonderful documentary reveals, kids are also embryonic adults longing to assert themselves in the world. Realising she was happiest at age 11, Bailey spent five years interviewing 11-year-olds in 15 countries from India to Sweden. It’s testament to the rapport she built that I Am Eleven is so delightfully candid and heartwarming.
Inevitably, some interviewees become protagonists while others have only cameo appearances. Jamira the indigenous Melburnian, Remi the soulful, right-on Frenchie, Billy the English oddball and Kimberly the New Jersey Punky Brewster are all adorable, but I was also intrigued by cockney bruiser Obey, wry New Yorker Oliver and reticent Moroccan girl Siham.
The kids speak most vividly about everyday life. For them, the future is vague and shapeless, but now offers both joys and fears (Giorgi from Bulgaria avoids “mean dogs”; murder and racist bullying are part of Sharif’s London landscape). One of the loveliest things about I Am Eleven is that it provokes viewers to remember themselves at that age. I identified most with Grace, the melancholy Czech Republic poet, who says 11-year-olds have “nothing to hide”.
Dendy Portside and The Regal Twin. Check I Am Eleven for screening details.
when
In cinemas from Jul 19. Director Q&A screening Sat Jul 21, 1.30pm at Dendy Portside.
WIN
We have 5 dbls to give away to Regal Twin's 6.30pm session on Fri Jul 20 and 5 dbls to give away to Dendy Portside's 1.30pm session on Sat Jul 21! To enter, email
brisbane.win@thethousands.com.au with the screening you'd like to attend and the subject ‘I’m a citizen of the world’
Australian Competitions Club
