Girlhood

Oscar-nominated director Liz Garbus' documentary Girlhood relates two familiar tales--involving horrible sexual abuse, parental neglect, and indifference from the justice system--with a shocking, powerful intimacy. Shanae murdered a friend at age 11; Megan attacked another girl with a box cutter--both were the objects of more violence and adult disdain in the years leading up to their crimes than anyone should have to endure in a lifetime. Garbus met them at Maryland's Waxter Juvenile Facility, and followed them through halfhearted rehabilitation measures--led by clueless adults who appeared to have little idea they were dishing out pointless platitudes and blatant racism and classism--and into their post-release periods. The most surprising--and encouraging--thing about these girls is that they are smart, ambitious, and downright likable; the most heartrending thing is that without the love, attention, and guidance they so desperately, obviously crave, they will remain lost children. Highly recommended. (M. Johanson)