Senior Year

Producer/director David Zeiger's Senior Year, filmed by six young Los Angeles filmmakers, follows 15 students from the class of 2000 at L.A.'s Fairfax High through challenges with school, family, and relationships during their final year. Far from simply compiling the run of the mill teen sound bites found in many documentaries, this sprawling, six-hour plus saga takes the time to really get into these kids' heads, recording their thoughts and feelings as they grapple with day to day problems large and small, including rocky romantic relationships, the football team's 36-game losing streak, attempted suicide, and forging an identity as a gay student. Viewers will not only see how the students' priorities change over the year, but also how their perception of the world (which they are on the cusp of entering) evolves. Teens (who as a group typically love to watch each other) will certainly enjoy this title, but hopefully it will also provide insight and topics for discussion among educators and parents. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (L. Stevens)