Feature – USA / UK Premiere
Showing @ Filmhouse 1, Fri 22 Jun @ 18.30 & Cameo 1, Sat 23 Jun @ 18.55
David Zellner / USA / 2012 / 83 mins
Growing up is never an easy journey and the arduous task of finding your path in life is something which ultimately alienates many children as they suffer from what society expects of them. Staying true to their trademark deadpan humour, The Zellner brothers explore this idea in typical destructive black comedy style. Following 10-year-old rogue Annie (Sydney Aguirre) as she wanders her rural hometown committing random acts of vandalism, Kid-Thing explores issues of abandonment, isolation and coming of age.
Blatantly mocking small-town mentalities, the Zellners appear to support Annie’s hostile nature as she clashes with both the adults and children of her sparse neighbourhood. Who knew suburban American communities could be that bizarre? But as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that Annie’s rage at contemporary society is borne out of her need to belong as even her father finds it difficult to connect with her. Turning Annie’s life on its head is her encounter with a woman trapped in a well. Forced to face many moral questions, she begins to understand what is expected of her and as the film draws to a close it exposes The Zellners’ knack for subtly addressing serious social and moral issues.