“Teenage” – The Tribeca Film Festival
I stumbled across the film ‘Teenage’ by Matt Wolf on Buzzfeed of all places…sandwiched between ‘27 Ways to Eat a Peep’ and ‘19 Kitty Cat Gifs with Attitude.’ Based on Jon Savage’s book Teenage: The Creation of Youth 1845–1945, the documentary tells the pre-history of the ‘teenager’…before Elvis and Bandstand and the 1950s definition of adolescence.
Intrigued by most historical docs — especially those that allow me to better understand my Grandparents’ generation — I braved the unseasonable weather to wait in line for rush tickets.
Told entirely in quotes and narrative, the documentary takes on a captivating, lyrical tone as it weaves the stories of four young people carving out their definition of the gray between child and adult.
“Teenage gives voice to young people from the first half of the 20th century in America, England, and Germany—from party-crazed Flappers and hip Swing Kids to zealous Nazi Youth and frenzied Sub-Debs.” -Matt Wolf
Through their stories, the viewer explores the broader cultural struggle to develop what Wolf calls ‘a new idea of youth.’
The film is playing at 12:45pm on Saturday, April 27th at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 8, but again only rush tickets are available. I recommend showing up by 11:45am for your best chance to win tickets. ‘Teenage’ is well worth the wait.
Exhibiting New York 