From directors Neasa Ní Chianáin and Declan McGrath comes a unique observational documentary for your film collection: Young Plato follows Holy Cross Boys Primary School Headmaster Kevin McArevey in his attempts, through philosophy lessons, to cultivate empathy and individual thinking in his young students.
The documentary is set in the Ardoyne district in Belfast, Northern Ireland against the historical backdrop of the 2001 Holy Cross dispute. Just by observing the boys and their teachers, Young Plato grounds us in this tense sociopolitical context, peeling back the layers of hate and prejudice these boys face every day.
It's McArevey’s mission to give these students the tools they need to work through conflict themselves, and he approaches it each day with a good dose of empathy–and Elvis Presley. Young Plato is an observational documentary, but even with no seen interference on the filmmakers’ part, McArevey’s program educates us naturally. Even if without historical knowledge of Northern Ireland’s history of violent conflict or the Holy Cross dispute, one learns along the way. The film at first charms just with the inherent values of McArevey’s program. But it enriches itself further as it opens up to reveal the primary school’s historical context and its effect on the Holy Cross boys.
The documentary’s timeline does it favors, showing us first the small-scale applications of the headmaster’s lessons (like talking to a teacher when someone hits you instead of hitting back)–and then expanding to large-scale (love one another; try to understand others’ point of view). These large-scale lessons apply to the kids’ relationships with each other, their parents, and (in theory) their wider communities.
I would have liked to see more practical implications in the documentary, such as examples of how students applied McArevey’s instruction to challenge their own parents. (I can’t help but think there must be repercussions for such a lesson, as much as I love the innovative idea.) Young Plato, however, is a large enough window into Holy Cross Boys Primary to form a cohesive picture of a compassionate and subversive teaching method.
Ultimately, Young Plato unfolds very much like McArevey’s teaching method itself. Don’t interfere and let the kids think and speak for themselves. They–and this unique film–will consistently surprise you. We highly recommend this observational documentary for your library film collection.
What academic library shelves would this title be on?
Young Plato belongs to academic library shelves for students of education, philosophy, child development, social issues, and Irish history.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Library programs for teachers and homeschooling parents could absolutely benefit from Young Plato’s addition to their film collection. The observational documentary’s focus on a unique teaching method makes it an excellent resource for an educational program.
Does this film have Public Performance Rights available?
Yes. Young Plato’s official website has a form to fill out to get a price estimation on public screenings.