Watch Kids' Reviews of
HEIST, THE

What to know: Film Raises Awareness About The Impact Of Unemployment And The Rising Cost Of Living On Vulnerable Populations, Particularly Children.
HEIST, THE is in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - it may not be a regular, endorsed title
Recommended age 12-18
7 minutes
VIDEO
OCTAVIA FOUNDATION
Listen to reviews on our radio show Listen to KIDS FIRST! Radio Coming Attractions on VoiceAmerica
HEIST, THE cover image
In the short film, The Heist, a young girl, desperate to help her unemployed father, hatches a plan with her friends to steal from a convenience store. They arm themselves with toy guns and steal a bicycle to execute their plan, demonstrating the impact of economic hardships on inner-city children. This film raises awareness about the impact of unemployment and the rising cost of living on vulnerable populations, particularly children. Research by Young Minds underscores that the cost of living is a major concern for over half of the young population, affecting their daily lives, including food and sleep. This is a powerful and moving piece that calls for societal action and understanding.

As an adult, I find this film appealing for its poignant portrayal of the impact of economic hardships on children. The story highlights the lengths that kids might go to when faced with financial struggles. Its combination of heartfelt storytelling and social commentary raises awareness and fosters empathy, making it a powerful tool to prompt discussions about unemployment and cost of living issues.

The writing and structure of the show are compelling, with a clear progression from planning to execution of the theft. The continuity is smooth, and the style balances youthful adventure with serious themes. The screenplay effectively develops the characters, making their motivations and struggles something that other youth can relate to. This draws the audience in and fosters empathy, particularly for the protagonist, whose desperation to help her father drives the narrative. The vocabulary and concepts are suitable for a youth audience, particularly those in inner-city locales. Using toy guns and a stolen bicycle are relatable and understandable elements for this demographic. The dialogue reflects the urgency and innocence of the children's perspective, making the film accessible and impactful for both young viewers and adults familiar with these challenges.

The film's visual quality is striking, with clear, easily identifiable images that enhance its emotional impact. The live-action scenes are set in realistic, typical urban environments, with costumes that reflect the children's socio-economic background. The direction is tight and focused, effectively conveying tension and urgency. Together, the visuals and production elements are well-suited to the film's serious, yet hopeful tone. The audio, at times, is a bit fast and inaudible and I had to set it to about .75 speeds to follow the conversation.

The film invites viewers to question and probe the impact of economic hardships. It sheds light on inner-city struggles, prompting viewers to consider systemic issues. For example, the children's desperate actions highlight the need for understanding and addressing unemployment's effects, fostering inquiry and problem-solving skills in the audience.

The film's message is that economic hardships, such as unemployment, deeply affect families and may even compel children to take desperate measures. It highlights the need for societal empathy and action to address these issues, urging viewers to understand and support those facing financial struggles, especially in vulnerable communities. A child might find the serious themes of unemployment and theft unsettling. The adventure aspect and the children's creativity with toy guns and a stolen bike could captivate them, but the underlying distress might be too intense for younger children.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is well made and addresses issues that could be great conversation starters for issues around the effects of financial insecurity. By Gloria J., KIDS FIRST!

In the short film, The Heist, a young girl, desperate to help her unemployed father, hatches a plan with her friends to steal from a convenience store. They arm themselves with toy guns and steal a bicycle to execute their plan, demonstrating the impact of economic hardships on inner-city children. This film raises awareness about the impact of unemployment and the rising cost of living on vulnerable populations, particularly children. Research by Young Minds underscores that the cost of living is a major concern for over half of the young population, affecting their daily lives, including food and sleep. This is a powerful and moving piece that calls for societal action and understanding.

As an adult, I find this film appealing for its poignant portrayal of the impact of economic hardships on children. The story highlights the lengths that kids might go to when faced with financial struggles. Its combination of heartfelt storytelling and social commentary raises awareness and fosters empathy, making it a powerful tool to prompt discussions about unemployment and cost of living issues.

The writing and structure of the show are compelling, with a clear progression from planning to execution of the theft. The continuity is smooth, and the style balances youthful adventure with serious themes. The screenplay effectively develops the characters, making their motivations and struggles something that other youth can relate to. This draws the audience in and fosters empathy, particularly for the protagonist, whose desperation to help her father drives the narrative. The vocabulary and concepts are suitable for a youth audience, particularly those in inner-city locales. Using toy guns and a stolen bicycle are relatable and understandable elements for this demographic. The dialogue reflects the urgency and innocence of the children's perspective, making the film accessible and impactful for both young viewers and adults familiar with these challenges.

The film's visual quality is striking, with clear, easily identifiable images that enhance its emotional impact. The live-action scenes are set in realistic, typical urban environments, with costumes that reflect the children's socio-economic background. The direction is tight and focused, effectively conveying tension and urgency. Together, the visuals and production elements are well-suited to the film's serious, yet hopeful tone. The audio, at times, is a bit fast and inaudible and I had to set it to about .75 speeds to follow the conversation.

The film invites viewers to question and probe the impact of economic hardships. It sheds light on inner-city struggles, prompting viewers to consider systemic issues. For example, the children's desperate actions highlight the need for understanding and addressing unemployment's effects, fostering inquiry and problem-solving skills in the audience.

The film's message is that economic hardships, such as unemployment, deeply affect families and may even compel children to take desperate measures. It highlights the need for societal empathy and action to address these issues, urging viewers to understand and support those facing financial struggles, especially in vulnerable communities. A child might find the serious themes of unemployment and theft unsettling. The adventure aspect and the children's creativity with toy guns and a stolen bike could captivate them, but the underlying distress might be too intense for younger children.

I recommend this film for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is well made and addresses issues that could be great conversation starters for issues around the effects of financial insecurity. By Gloria J., KIDS FIRST!

Three 10 year old girls plan a Heist of their local supermarket so they can get everything they need to win a school egg drop... however, there is more to it, in a story that looks at the Cost of Living crisis through the lenses of children. A project made in the partnership with the Childhood Trust
You too can become a film critic!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!

NEW SEARCH
Entertainment News for Kids:
Join KIDS FIRST! on Twitter Join KIDS FIRST! on YouTube Join KIDS FIRST! on Instagram Join KIDS FIRST! on Tik Tok Join KIDS FIRST! on Facebook