Film Project

[cloud01]

I am working on a project for A levels film studies discussing how childhood is represented in contemporary films of war, specifically; The Boy in The Striped Pajamas (main film), Pan's Labyrinth, The Kite Runner and Welcome to Sarajevo, all films centred around children and how they are affected by different wars. At the moment im just doing research and getting as much feedback from others as well, so any you might have on my topic would be much appreciated :) thank you!

[Rick C]

There's also 'The Tin Drum'. (dir. Volker Schlondorff, 1979)

[GRAEME]

There's also 'The Tin Drum'. (dir. Volker Schlondorff, 1979)

Would that fit the bill as being "contemporary" - what exactly does that mean? Within the last 15 years? 20? Where do you draw that line?

[zettel45]

I haven't seen all these films, but I think I'm right in saying they all portray children as innocent bystanders trying to escape (or ignore) conflict and (usually) losing their innocence along the way. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if you look at the current conflicts in Africa and Asia it can seem a rather dated, almost "cosy" narrative.

It's harder to find examples of films that show the increasing common examples of children actually fighting in conflicts (usually after abduction and brutal indoctrination). Doesn't Hotel Rwanda cover this in passing? If not, you might take a look at the 2009 documentary-feature Children of War about the rehabilitation of Ugandan children forced to fight for The Lord's Resistance Army (possibly the most sinister army name of all time). And, for a diametrically opposite viewpoint, take a look at Rambo III which features a "brave" child fighting for the Mujahideen against those nasty Rooskies...

[cloud01]

Contemporary as in preferably nothing before 2000; in the last 10-15 years.. that way the films aren't too varied in the way they are made and more comparisons can be made.

[CaptainWaggett]

Aren't there child soliders in Blood Diamond?

[GRAEME]

Contemporary as in preferably nothing before 2000; in the last 10-15 years.. that way the films aren't too varied in the way they are made and more comparisons can be made.

Ok. Welcome to Sarajevo was made prior to 2000 but just within your 15 year cut off.

[cloud01]

I haven't seen all these films, but I think I'm right in saying they all portray children as innocent bystanders trying to escape (or ignore) conflict and (usually) losing their innocence along the way. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if you look at the current conflicts in Africa and Asia it can seem a rather dated, almost "cosy" narrative.

It's harder to find examples of films that show the increasing common examples of children actually fighting in conflicts (usually after abduction and brutal indoctrination). Doesn't Hotel Rwanda cover this in passing? If not, you might take a look at the 2009 documentary-feature Children of War about the rehabilitation of Ugandan children forced to fight for The Lord's Resistance Army (possibly the most sinister army name of all time). And, for a diametrically opposite viewpoint, take a look at Rambo III which features a "brave" child fighting for the Mujahideen against those nasty Rooskies...

Well my question covers a varied range of topics; one of them being why exactly this narrative, albeit "cosy and dated" (which in some ways it is, as a storyline portraying the more vulnerable at risk always seems to attract more of an audience) is used so regularly within films of war. However, the films i have chosen do not directly relate to children being forced to fight, because although that creates a more poignant narrative, I prefer to look at how they are affected indirectly by war, e.g. through family and country. Also, another comparison in these films is that all main children characters seem to have some kind of outlet to help them cope with the brutality of war, and this serves as the main storyline (e.g. Boy In The Striped Pajamas - Bruno's friendship with Shmuel/ Pan's Labyrinth - Ofelia's fantasy world) whilst the war it is set in serves as a backdrop. I did consider studying Children of War, but as I mentioned, I prefer not to use films only representing children as "child soldiers". I can't actually change the films i have chosen as they are not set in the project, but I appreciate your examples :)

[Steve Crook]

It's harder to find examples of films that show the increasing common examples of children actually fighting in conflicts (usually after abduction and brutal indoctrination). Doesn't Hotel Rwanda cover this in passing? If not, you might take a look at the 2009 documentary-feature Children of War about the rehabilitation of Ugandan children forced to fight for The Lord's Resistance Army (possibly the most sinister army name of all time).

That goes back further than you might think. In The Killing Fields (1984) children were pointing out their teachers and other people of the "intelligentsia" who were then killed to take Cambodia back to "Year Zero".

Steve

[GRAEME]

That goes back further than you might think. In The Killing Fields (1984) children were pointing out their teachers and other people of the "intelligentsia" who were then killed to take Cambodia back to "Year Zero".

Steve

The Hitler Youth were encouraged to denounce disloyal adults, even further back.

The SS had children fighting in their units defending Berlin at the end too - as depicted in the excellent Downfall.