Animation can tell powerful and sensitive stories without revealing the identity of the people sharing their truth.
We follow two young people trying to fit into society. We hear about their lives, and the joys of being free to roam and explore the natural world. Through various experiences, each characters innocence is being quickly dissolved into a tainted and violent city. This is a fully animated documentary, allowing for raw recollections of their experiences, of being locked up.
Sydney in the 80s is a place where young men might easily be swept into trouble and potentially taken away to confined spaces. The audience is immersed in memories re-constructured with animation of the two youths, learning about their formative experiences during those times. A loss of freedom is something not everyone experiences first hand. These stories are uncomfortable and at times heartbreaking. Their stories speak to the very heart of how society treats our young people, who are still finding their identity and navigating a challenging world. Hearing these experiences decades after has the power to give deeper understanding and perspective to a conversation that is ongoing today.
Hindsight allows for reflection, wisdom and humour. There is also deep sadness for the loss of innocence they suffered. But remarkably our story tellers reveal their hope for a better future where there will be more responsibility, care and empathy for young people who are navigating their own trauma and mental illness.
