When I was a teenager I saw Larry Clarks directorial debut 'Kids'. Like most young people at the time, I could relate strongly to the film. I waited eagerly to see his next film. 'Another Day In Paradise' was a tragically beautiful film and again, depending on your life experience, it was very relatable.
After 'Bully', the news that Larry Clark was again working with Harmony Korine was exciting. The result was 'Ken Park', a movie that took the viewer even further into the gritty realism of teenage life than 'Kids' had taken us.
What Larry Clark understands and conveys perfectly is the uncomfortable unity between the beauty of youth and the lack of wisdom therein. He doesn't shy away from holding up a mirror to each generation of societies youth.
'The Smell of Us' continued in that tradition, after two, much lighter toned helpings of 'Mafia Girl'. 2021s 'A Day In The Life' sees Clark at the height of his powers as a director.
Whilst it covers the same ground his other films have, it does so in the setting of modern day France. Larry shows us that the tragic story of youth without wisdom is still alive and well.
He shows us that young people make mistakes. They are passionate. He shows us ourselves as young people.
From the first scene, you're left in no doubt as to what Clark is going to investigate, yet it still seems fresh and vital. These are films that young directors ought to be making, and yet, very few are.
I understand why Larry is working in France, a country that isn't afraid of itself. I hope he has more feature films left in him. 'A Day In The Life' is a fine short, and it leaves the viewer hoping that Larry Clark isn't done yet.
We NEED filmmakers like Larry Clark.
The world's youth need filmmakers willing to tell their authentic stories without fear of censorship.
The truth is never a popular topic, but that's what Larry Clark has to offer you. You can look away and pretend its not happening, or watch these films and engage with reality. Either way, I suspect Larry Clark doesn't much care. His films are for the ages.
These stories have been told for as long as language has existed. The truth cannot be denied. I very much recommend this short to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear, and I also hope that Larry Clark will continue to be the voice of the confused, angry, and often exploited youth of the world.
Because 'someone' needs to tell these stories.
