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| Whoa, check out these real kids. |
Perhaps the only thing cooler than getting to attend a creative acting workshop would be getting to attend one run by Michel Gondry (or a lifetime supply of ice cream; we can't decide). A few years ago, kids from various youth programs around the Bronx, including The Point, a community program with a focus on creativity and youth development, had the pleasure of working with the acclaimed director. He had the kids act out important moments in their lives as improvised sketches and recorded them.
And then if that wasn't cool enough, Gondry later returned with a screenplay based off of those recorded improvised sketches. And if your brain can handle any more awesome, Gondry then cast the same kids from his workshops, most of whom ended up playing versions of themselves in the film. So amazing, right?
When watching the trailer for The We and the I, you can't help but be struck by how, for lack of a better word, real the kids come across. By casting unprofessional actors and using their actual stories, Gondry was able to tap into this authenticity that most teen movies these days--er, all days--lack. (Yes, that means we're saying that High School Musical is completely unrealistic. Look, we wish that squeaky-clean teens could burst into organized dance and song on a whim, but it just doesn't happen. Get over it.)
To get more insight on the background and production of the film, this article from the Hunts Point Express published last fall is an excellent read.
And, if you haven't yet, grab your tickets to one of the below screening times. If you don't, we might be forced to sing and dance. And you really don't want that.
THE WE AND THE I Screening Times:
Fri., Sept. 7th, 6:45 PM SCOTIABANK 1
Sat., Sept. 8th, 11:45 AM CINEPLEX YONGE & DUNDAS 6
Sat., Sept. 15th, 3:00 PM SCOTIABANK 1
