Throwback Thursday: KIDS (1995)

As it's Thursday, I thought it would be appropriate to throwback to one of my favourite 90's films of all time: KIDS, directed by Larry Clark. This Teenpic follows the lives of a group of alienated teens as they roam the streets of New York. With the absence of any kind of parental influence, these teenage delinquents partake in underage sex, drug and alcohol use as well as violence, theft and borderline rape. 

KIDS was Clark's debut film and one that accurately portrayed a bleak and uncompromising picture of contemporary youth culture and adolescent sexuality. The film was scripted by 18 year old, Harmony Korine, who also worked with Clark on Gummo and more recently directed Spring Breakers.

KIDS is somewhat of a social commentary which accurately highlights the major problems affecting urban youths in the early 90's, such as unemployment, lack of parental involvement and the threat of HIV and other STDs. Clark illustrates clear gender division throughout the film as well as the characters notions of dislocation, fragmentation and existentialism, in addition to touching on politics of HIV and AIDs.

At the time of its release, there was much public debate surrounding the films artistic merit due to it's unsettling authenticity and I think its safe to say; it's a film you either love or you hate. Despite the heavy criticism Clark's controversial debut feature received from the media, labelling it as child pornography and questioning the ambiguous relationship with his subject matter, he continued to make additional films depicting illegal drug use, underage sex and violence in youth culture.

In my opinion, Clark undoubtably succeeds in exposing the reality of American suburban life with it's unsettling frankness, intimacy and authenticity. To a certain extent, the films tone and visual style blur the line between fiction and reality, along with the documentary style techniques used to portray the voyueristic images of teen sexuality. 

His work is utterly unique, underrated and unlike any other films I have seen; much like the works of Kubrick and other didactic film makers, the film has the ability to engross the spectator to reveal an additional, more significant meaning within. So if you're like me and love a good obscure controversial film, then I'd definitely go and watch of some Larry Clark's work.

Link to full movie of KIDS