Educational Media Reviews Online

There are some very fine and useful aspects to this film, but it also includes occasional quirks which may add charm or annoyance, depending on the viewer. Lila is eight years old, healthy and lively as one would expect. As the film winds through the journey that is her life, she changes in mind and body on her way to being a bright and vibrant thirteen year old. At times, this film is fascinating, intriguing and highly personal. Some of the life changes Lila shares with the camera are a major hairstyle change, her Bat Mitzvah, and her first menstruation. Additionally, we are afforded a unique opportunity to experience very real glimpses into the mind of a young girl. She talks about her feelings on boys, peer pressure, fashion and trends at school, staying a kid versus confronting adulthood, and her thoughts on sexuality.

One of the highlights of the film is her perspective of growing up. As the film opens, she is with her three best friends, Amalie, Frankie and Jordan, as they run around and play as one would expect eight year olds to do. Once they have reached teenager-dom, they do more sitting around and talking. At the age of nine, the differences between boys and girls have to do with who is stronger and the fact that girls mature faster than boys do. By thirteen, the atmosphere has completely changed as Lila has become concerned with the sexual tension that previously didn’t exist. She’s also jealous of Amalie, because she perceives that boys in general are more interested in Amalie than her. She admits to enjoying the simpler times when they would climb trees and play without the pressures of growing up and approaching adulthood.

I need to briefly address the minor annoyances mentioned above. The music used at the beginning, end, and at certain interludes is a bit peculiar, and doesn’t seem to fit comfortably. There is over-use of a slow-motion/strobe effect in the video editing. At times the lighting leaves a bit to be desired although it is forgivable due to the circumstances of needing to shoot video anywhere and anytime and sometimes in cramped spaces. The film is shot home-video style, which adds to its character, but can be bumpy at times. Finally, there are occasions when the viewer is left asking questions that would be better answered at an earlier point in the film. For example, Lila badly wants to be accepted into the Wagner School, and we see the moment when her admittance is revealed, but we don’t find out for some time exactly what the Wagner School is. With some well placed narration, this film could have been even better.

Despite any of the technical or artistic shortcomings, professionals and students in the fields of psychology, and particularly child development will find value in Lila: Eight to Thirteen. This is intimate material that cannot be found in a textbook or journal article, and is therefore recommended.

Awards:

• Best in Show – 2004 DIGit Film Festival (Delaware Valley Arts Alliance)