I’ll Never Forget My High School Friends is an emotionally raw film that encapsulates the complexities and dynamics of transitioning from high school to college. Written and directed by Sam Ashurov and Raza Rizvi, the film follows a group of five friends, PJ, Tanner, Pauline, Bex, and Ryan, from the summer before their freshman year of college in 2016 to the summers of 2017 and 2018 until ultimately ending in the fall of 2018.
All of the footage is self-shot by characters in the film, primarily Pauline and Ryan, who record their friends and themselves in video diaries and vlog styles. This perspective allows for an intimate telling of an emotionally complex and difficult experience many young adults can relate to, such as growing apart from the friends you had while growing up. Audiences are immersed in the ups and downs of growing into one’s self and growing out of the person you once were.
The film tackles a variety of intense topics associated with growing into young adulthood, such as breakups, toxic friendships, and sexuality. Emotional manipulation is also heavily represented as the characters find themselves in the middle of navigating their desires while also maintaining what they had established in high school. This all can be summed up as one thing: authentic adolescence.
In addition, the video diary and vlog-style footage provide a sense of dramatic irony as audiences are clued into issues on one side of the friend group before the others are made aware and the truth comes out. As we grow up and mature, we look back on past experiences with new perspectives. We may look back and realize what dynamics were truly at play now that we have the space to assess them without the emotional aspects currently present. This film allows audiences to engage with this practice of observing adolescent experiences that seem so different for the players actively involved.
In a way, viewing this film can be cathartic as audiences can see themselves in the characters and their experiences because they’ve experienced something similar in their youth or they are experiencing the transition to adulthood presently. I’ll Never Forget My High School Friends beautifully captures the transition from high school to college through the lens of romantic and platonic relationships that evolve through growth and life changes.
What ages would this film be suitable for?
On Amazon, this film is rated for ages 16+. I somewhat agree with this rating. There are many topics included in the film that would not be suitable for children, such as drugs, alcohol, and sex. In my opinion, I would up the rating to 18+ as there are topics that could be triggering to some, such as consent (or lack thereof) and sexual harassment.
How would audiences react to this screening?
I think audiences will be surprised to see just how realistically the film portrays being a young adult in the United States. Films tend to romanticize and dramatize these critical years that make it difficult for audiences to connect with characters and plots. This film feels genuine and grounded in reality as it tackles real issues that the majority of young adults face while transitioning from high school to college.
Why would it be important to show this film?
I think this film could have a profound impact on young audiences, especially those currently living through those critical years during the transition to college. By being so grounded and real, this film is daring in the way it tackles tough subjects that have emotional and social weight. Media librarians should consider adding this film to their academic film collections for their high school students.