Take Omri, for example

Description

This is a rare opportunity to look into the closed society of children, as they behave towards one another oblivious of the camera. The focus is a fifth grade class in Jerusalem. Here we meet Omri, a pudgy and awkward eleven-year-old. He clearly has not made friends. The popular children in the class follow the leadership of Yatan, a verbally aggressive, athletic, and good looking kid. To be his friend is to be in the "in group", and Omri never makes it. Reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies, this documentary captures the cruelty of children and the vulnerability of those who don t fit in. Even the teachers side with the stronger members of the class and offer no protection to the victimized child. This short film has already provoked intense discussion in classrooms in Israel and in America. In view of the attempt to understand the rash of school shootings here, this portrait of a child who is treated like an outcast is particularly relevant.Contains strong language.

Runtime

30 min

Creator

Jivan, Debbi

Subjects

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

2000

Database

Alexander Street

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