After reading Odessa’s post (author of the inspirational blog freefalling me) about the film Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamtress, I started thinking about independent movies I’ve seen recently, and Viva Cuba came to mind.
Viva Cuba, written and directed by Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti, tells the story of a girl and a boy on the cusp of puberty who go on a cross-country trek to find the girl’s father. It’s a movie about children, but not made for children, one of my favorite genres. Just as Odessa found Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, I found this movie at my local library. It’s part of a monthly film club sponsored at a site called Film Movement.
Film Movement features independent and foreign (to me) films from all over the globe. I tend to gravitate toward independent films because the stories are intimate, the acting authentic, the photography inspired. Independent film makers need the film to tell the story because they can’t rely on the Hollywood machine and special effects to carry the day for them.
And when a theatrical presentation costs $10.00 a show, I’d rather spend my money on a high-quality DVD I can watch several times over if I choose to, in my own home. And when my library subscribes, it’s even better.
Here’s a short list of movies about children but not made for children that I especially like:
The Bicycle Thief
My Life as a Dog
Valentin
Por la libre (in English billed as Dust to Dust. In Spanish it means ‘on the freeway’.)
And I can’t forget the blockbusters, Slumdog Millionaire and Pan’s Labyrinth.
What about you? Any coming-of-age films you’d like to share?
Balanced On the Edge 
Empire of the Sun, Stand by Me, The 400 Blows and Spirit of the Beehive instantly come to mind.
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Yes, these are great films, Collin. I haven’t seen Spirit of the Beehive, though, so thanks for mentioning it.
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Christine,
I watch a lot of Indi and foreign films, but when it comes to coming-of-age, I can easily rattle of a list of books. I’ll have to think about films. In the meantime, I’ll be checking here for recommendations.
By the way, I like the photos of you, you’ve been using lately. You’re pretty and more- you look like a woman who’s coming into her own.
Lots of changes at Color Online. And I’m running our Summer Book Drive. Please come by.
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I found Pan’s Labyrinth brilliant – and devastating.
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my faves are: Y Tu Mama Tambien, Central Station, The Red Balloon, Maria Full of Grace…what can I say, I love my subtitles 🙂
oh, i almost forgot The Man in the Moon. I really love this movie!
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I read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress a few years ago and loved it. I also love Pan’s Labyrinth, My Life as Dog, Cinema Paradiso…….oh and Stand by Me!
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I loved Pan’s Labyrinth, excellent movie. It’s a movie I put on my shelf at home to watch again. Another Guillermo del Torro movie I liked really well was The Devil’s Backbone. It’s not a coming of age movie though- just a good one. Hope all is well. Have a great day/ weekend.
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Hey, thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.
I haven’t seen The Devil’s Backbone, Michelle. I’ll have to look for it.
Yes, Cinema Paradiso is a great movie, Jo.
I like the subtitles too, Odessa. I’m going to add The Man in the Moon to my list for this summer.
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