All Falls Down

Taking its title (and fringe music) from Kanye West's laidback Grammy-nominated song, this 14-minute short is a product of the annual “What's the Real Deal?” writing contest from Scenarios USA, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization that strives to “inspire teens to make healthier and safer decisions by offering them a creative approach.” Paired with a pro director and crew, the winners' stories about realistic teen issues are adapted into films: in this case, All Falls Down is based on a short story by 15-year-olds Chantel Woolridge and Francine Kitson, and was directed by David Koepp (Secret Window, screenwriter for Jurassic Park, Carlito's Way, and Spider-Man). Primarily taking place on the NYC subway, the film trails along after gal pals Portia (who has an alcoholic mother), impressionable Quiana (who excels in math), and know-it-all Nycole (heavy on bravado, but conviction-lite), who are hit on by three male peers in the station. Over the course of the next few weeks, the sextuples match up: first, Tyrone sweet talks Quiana into visiting his house to chill, watch TV, and…have sex! After telling her girlfriends (saying she wanted to avoid letting the dude down), Quiana is harshly admonished by Nycole, who ends up eating her “never in a million years would that be me” words after she's sucked into Sharod's web of PS2, “21 questions,” Hypnotic (liquor) and…another instance of unprotected sex! On the other side of the spectrum, Portia and Shawn date, hold hands, plan family dinners, and--moral of the story--remain the only couple with two words to say to each other at the end (with no need to panic over a pregnancy test). Featuring authentic urban adolescent dialogue and a non-condemnatory variety of viewpoints (including the guys'), All Falls Down is recommended. Aud: H, P. (J. Williams-Wood)