Director: Richard Linklater
12 years of filming have resulted in a unique project, an astonishing film that the screen has never experienced before. We have just witnessed the birth of a genie called Richard Linklater. What the Oscar-nominated director did was create a story that is so sincere and honest as if it was a documentary of your neighbour's, cousin's or friend's life from childhood to adolescence. Yes, after watching the film the actors will have grown so close to you that you will want to find out what will happen next, 10 years ahead.
Many films have showed the main characters in various stages of their life cycles, but none of their directors have been so patient to wait and film how the transition occurs naturally. In other words, they have always used different actors, but this time they are the same throughout the whole film. The story begins with Mason being 5 years old and centering his world around games and fun. As time goes by, the boy learns various life lessons when his family moves from one place to another after his mother's unfortunate marriages and puberty kicks in. First love, the first glass of alcohol, the first cigarette, bullying at school, crazy parties - Mason experiences everything a typical teenager does and from a troublesome boy he grows into a man who can take full responsibility of himself and has found his passion and aspiration in life.
