Directed Michael Apted
Documentary (playing at )
Its perhaps the most ambitious and exhaustive chronicle in the history of documentary film Michael Apteds 7 Up series continues with his latest installment in 56 Up.
The original began in 1964 as a one-off TV special that followed a group of British school children (aged seven of course) from varying backgrounds and social classes. What followed was an update every seven years to chart the same groups progress through life that has continued for nearly 50 years and spawned seven films.
Now, at 56 years old, the subjects recount their past memories of the project, reflect on their own experiences and even lament their involvement in the films at times because, according to several, they offer only a brief snapshot of each respective individual.
What makes 56 Up so compelling and engrossing isnt how amazing the lives of these people have been; on the contrary their worlds are seemingly mundane and ordinary. The truly fascinating elements of the film exist in the time capsule style of editing.The veteran Apted sits off camera in each conversation, asking his pointed questions did you regret that?, why did you do it?, are you afraid of getting old?
Utilizing meticulous archival footage from the original and subsequent films, the director is able to weave a tapestry that may not examine each person in the detail they hoped for but still provides a sometimes funny, sometimes sad and always poignant look at what it means to be human.
