Growing Pains

Running time: N/A

This series of short films could also be called "On the Other Side of Sesame Street." These films feature children but are not necessarily meant to be seen by children. Herein we feature the trials and tribulations children and teens face growing up in today's world. Those awkward physical changes, teen pregnancy and motherhood, parental pressures, and homosexual panic ... they're all here for your viewing enjoyment!This group of talented filmmakers, using a variety of narrative styles, explores the pain and confusion of coming of age. But, whether it is through the surreal images of Susan Weisshaar's tortured narrator or the straight-forward style of the 16 year-old mother in Jeanine Corbet's film, the message is clear: growing up isn't easy.Reviewed by Matthew Aquino