Leeds Young Film Festival 2014

I don’t think the importance of cinema aimed at young people can be overstated.

From the moment we’re rather unceremoniously thrust into this world our brains are overwhelmed with a terrifying number of stimuli, all attempting to pass on a particular message or ideal. When I was younger I believed, in my arrogance, that the majority of my opinions came, predominantly, from my own discoveries and assumed that the truths that I hadn’t ferreted out for myself had been passed to me by select friends, teachers and family members.

As I get older I find that the views that once seemed so secure in my mind have become less solid, I question myself more and more. It always thought that adulthood would bring security, both physically and mentally, in reality it sometimes seems I end each day stood staring at the plughole in my shower, more confused than ever. It’s at the these moments of extreme un-clarity that I wonder what’s led me to this point, where have I come from?

Perhaps in a simpler time where small, close-knit communities, held together by a strict set of shared values, reigned supreme (this time existed right?), everyone had a purpose, knew what was expected of them and where their life would take them. If ever this was the case, it’s certainly not anymore.

For many of us, whether we accept it or not, the dominant force driving our beliefs is no longer, family, politics or religion but mass-media. Consciously I’ve made innumerable choices based on what I’ve seen in films, television programmes and advertisements. Some have been mundane, unimportant decisions, an adoption of a particular clothing style or attempting to incorporate an interesting turn of phrase into my regular vocabulary. Others have have been on a deeper level, affecting my very outlook on life. I dread to think of the unconscious impact that these media have had on me.

So, I hear you ask, how does this moody, teenage-esque diatribe turn into film preview of all things? Well, next week sees the start of the Leeds Young Film Festival (LYFF). Running from 31 March to 11 April the festival celebrates both new and old films aimed a young audience. Film, perhaps more than any other media, has, and continues to have, the biggest impact on my life and it always amazes me how swiftly some people dismiss it’s power and influence.

It’s not only a mistake to view films, especially those aimed at a young audience, as simple, 90 minute distractions but an insult to the capabilities of those watching them. The mind is an incredible thing; everything we experience, whether we realise it or not is stored and analysed. If a child watches a 100 helpless princesses saved by a 100 handsome princes what impact will this have on their view of gender? If the films that we encourage children to watch never reflect the reality that is the multi-ethnic, multi-spiritual, beautiful mess that is the modern world. Instead, watching films promoting conformity and rewarding normality, how can kids ever be expected to function in a world where such attributes are woefully outdated?

I’m not suggesting that we limit ourselves to a diet of serious, thought-provoking cinema where every film has a cast covering every possible race, creed, gender and sexuality. Nor am I claiming that the viewing of a single film may cause irreversible damage to someone’s psyche (I did have a close call with Big Momma’s House though). No film is an island and no mind is the result of a single experience. The amount of media in the world that could be considered sexist, homophobic, racist, just plain ignorant or encouraging stereotyping (yes, I’m pointing at you advertising for all of those) is truly alarming though. One small incident or influence might be nothing, but consider hundreds of these tiny pushes directed at us, every hour of every day, their combined impact becomes a lot more concerning.

This is why an events like LYFF are so important. Along with some, perhaps, more mainstream fare they offer chance to take in some screenings that you wouldn’t get the chance to see elsewhere, a glimpse into new worlds and lives with the capability to open our eyes to fresh ideas and opinions, challenging those we’re normally presented with. With this in mind I’ve taken a brief look at some of screenings that interest me most.

Magic Camp (12A) Dir. Judd Ehrlich

The desire to fit in is overwhelming, especially at a younger age. Sparks of creativity and individuality can get ruthlessly stamped out by a rigid educational system or an unkind word from a friend. In Magic Camp we see that being different is something to be celebrated.

This documentary follows the journey of a group of young magicians-in-training at Tannen’s Magic Camp in America, a seemingly real-life version of Hogwarts. The magic acts of course are a joy to see but the heart of this picture stems from the magicians themselves.

Some may be viewed as outcasts, separate from the traditional popular groups at school or college but at Magic Camp they’re given the chance, not just to pursue their dream, but be themselves, without fear of reprisal. An important message for a society which takes a perverse pleasure in casting judgement on those perceived as different from the norm.

Showing Tuesday 8 April at Hyde Park Picture House (tickets £2.50/£5)

Horizon Beautiful (12A) Dir. Stefan Jager

Even as adults it’s very easy to forget the incredible variety of cinema that can be found around the world and instead focus solely on what comes out of Hollywood. Perhaps it’s the fear of the unfamiliar, the fact that foreign films are rarely screened in most mainstream cinemas, maybe it’s just an aversion to subtitles.

Horizon Beautiful tells the story of 12-year old Adamassu, a street kid from Ethiopia who hopes to escape the poverty of his birth by becoming a professional footballer. When the self-centred football magnate Franz arrives in the country as part of cynical attempt to save his reputation Adamassu sees his chance.

His plan to impress to Franz goes awry however and the two find themselves thrust into the beauty and danger of the African wilderness where they must confront some harsh truths about both themselves and each other.

The film combines humour, pathos and some stunning cinematography, the theme of poverty is ever present but never forced upon the audience and is the more affecting because of this. A wonderful opportunity to see a film that may otherwise go undetected.

Showing Tuesday 8 April at Hyde Park Picture House (tickets £2.50/£5)

Toy Story 1, 2 and 3 (U) Dirs. John Lasseter, Ash Brannon Lee and Lee Unkrich

How does one portray a subject in film that we often struggle to describe to each other in real life, the troubling transition from childhood to adolescence and finally adulthood?

Well, if you’re the geniuses at Pixar then you place the human element in the background and instead focus on that most common and innocent totems of childhood – toys. The Toy Story trilogy is an amazing collection of films that seem to offer something new every time I re-watch them. The youngest audience members will appreciate the zany characters, adventures and humour, while teens will appreciate the films’ tackling of subject matters such as disillusionment and the struggle to find meaning in life. For those of whom childhood seems like an eternity ago it a chance to look back wistfully on a more simple time.

Showing Sunday 6 April at Hyde Park Picture House (tickets £2.50/£5 per film)

Haunter (15) Dir. Vincenzo Natali

Okay, I’m a bit of a horror nut so I’ve snuck this one in as an added bonus. There are two aspects that are really making me look forward to this showing. First-off I’m a big fan of the lead actor, Abigail Breslin. Little Miss Sunshine swiftly became one of my favourite films and since then I’m willing to give anything starring her a chance. second, it’s a horror film aimed at a younger audience.

When we consider horror films we generally think of violence, gore and sex, sometimes an uncomfortable mixture of all three together. The 18 certificate has meant that filmmakers can, on the whole, feel free to push the limits of what’s deemed acceptable. With this freedom however can come laziness, over reliance on shock-tactics to provide the scares. This why horror films aimed at younger audiences can be such a joy (is that the right word?)

Take away the violence, gore and sex and suddenly you have to focus on what’s important, and actually really scary, the story, characters and atmosphere. If you’re looking for an example then I strongly recommend 2009’s The Hole a film with a 12A certificate that made me laugh but also scared the living daylights out of me.

In Haunter a family appears destined to relieve the eve of their daughter’s 16th birthday over and over again. The daughter, Lisa, makes the discovery that they are in fact ghosts and doomed for eternity until they unravel the mystery surrounding their death. As she unravels the mystery of their former home she discovers that they weren’t the first victims and may not be the last.

Showing Saturday 5 April at Hyde Park Picture House (tickets £2.50/£5)

I’ve just touched briefly on a programme that also includes screenings of classics like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, favourites from the most recent Leeds International Film Festival such as We are the Best! and a Disney retrospective at the Everyman Cinema.  The festival runs from 31 March to 11 April, to find out more, view a full programme and book your tickets visit: http://www.leedsyoungfilm.com/