The film follows teenage Damian as he navigates adolescence when his classmates bully him and another boy for being gay. Viewers witness his struggles to maintain his studies and interact with family as he wrestles with the complexities of not conforming to hetero-normative standards of the world he grows up in.
The story is modern and very relatable for this day and age when teenagers are no longer just dealing with school and home life, but the world of the Internet. Although the world is becoming increasingly progressive, Inside Out shows how difficult it still is for those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The camera work enhances the emotions in a way that feels natural but very clear. Viewers are with Damian, not watching him. The reversing, use of focus and handheld camera style makes the events feel close and personal, rather than something being presented to an audience. The costumes are simple and not distracting. The school uniforms are true to the time period and setting. Like costumes, the sets and locations are simple and not distracting. They are relatable and do the job. The background music is well embedded in a way that maintains the ambience and does not break the fourth wall. Damian and the bully's acting stand out as poignantly emotional in ways that will touch the audience. The camera work also plays a significant role in Inside Out. The film has a rough, "handmade" feeling, but is professional enough to be taken seriously. The director tells a story, and tells it well. It does not feel like a beginner film and executes the message thoroughly in a short period of time.
Inside Out is a heavy but hopeful film for any teenagers that may struggle with their identity in adolescence.
I give Inside Out 5 out of 5 stars and recommend if for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It is a modern story that needs to be told. It would play in any festival that focuses on LGBTQ+ or educational films. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
The film follows teenage Damian as he navigates adolescence when his classmates bully him and another boy for being gay. Viewers witness his struggles to maintain his studies and interact with family as he wrestles with the complexities of not conforming to hetero-normative standards of the world he grows up in.
The story is modern and very relatable for this day and age when teenagers are no longer just dealing with school and home life, but the world of the Internet. Although the world is becoming increasingly progressive, Inside Out shows how difficult it still is for those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The camera work enhances the emotions in a way that feels natural but very clear. Viewers are with Damian, not watching him. The reversing, use of focus and handheld camera style makes the events feel close and personal, rather than something being presented to an audience. The costumes are simple and not distracting. The school uniforms are true to the time period and setting. Like costumes, the sets and locations are simple and not distracting. They are relatable and do the job. The background music is well embedded in a way that maintains the ambience and does not break the fourth wall. Damian and the bully's acting stand out as poignantly emotional in ways that will touch the audience. The camera work also plays a significant role in Inside Out. The film has a rough, "handmade" feeling, but is professional enough to be taken seriously. The director tells a story, and tells it well. It does not feel like a beginner film and executes the message thoroughly in a short period of time.
Inside Out is a heavy but hopeful film for any teenagers that may struggle with their identity in adolescence.
I give Inside Out 5 out of 5 stars and recommend if for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It is a modern story that needs to be told. It would play in any festival that focuses on LGBTQ+ or educational films. Reviewed by Joy P., KIDS FIRST! Juror.
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