The Kids

2021

1h 30m

Documentary

List

100%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

In the early 1990s, before New York City's mass gentrification, a group of disparate youth ventured outside their broken homes into the city's brutal streets. United by skateboarding, they cultivated a family and built a unique lifestyle that ultimately inspired Larry Clark's 1995 groundbreaking film, KIDS. The crew became overnight commodities, thrust into the mainstream spotlight. Left adrift under the bright lights, some discovered transcendent lives and careers -- while others, abandoned and unequipped to handle fame, suffered fatal consequences.

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David Stratton

The Australian

The film is grimly revealing...

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 2, 2023

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Kristy Puchko

The Playlist

Perhaps that "The Kids" leans hard into emotional speculation isn't a problem, but the plan.

Jun 30, 2021

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Ed Gibbs

Little White Lies

As a cautionary tale, Martin's film is sobering stuff: captivating and compassionate.

Jun 16, 2021

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Nadine Whitney

The Curb

The Kids is part bittersweet reflection and part scathing indictment of the fame machine. Revisiting Kids becomes bleaker knowing what went on to make the film. Clark and Korine refusing to take part in the documentary speaks for itself.

Sep 6, 2023

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Simon Miraudo

Movie Squad (RTRFM 92.1)

An appropriate reckoning with the damage wrought by Kids. But it never wrestles with the idea that Kids might be a worthwhile and impactful movie all the same. I wish it could have held two complicated ideas in its head at the same time.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 2, 2023

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Lisa Nystrom

FILMINK (Australia)

Hamilton Harris is a natural born storyteller with a talent for spinning yarns, which lifts what might have been a by-the-numbers tell-all to an engagingly honest commentary on the pitfalls of taking metaphorical candy from strangers.

Rated: 14/20

May 26, 2023

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Peter W

Overall, while I've never seen the film Kids (1994), We Were Once Kids / The Kids is a documentary that takes a deep dive into the lives of the film's main cast before their fame. We get to learn about their lives before their fame, the entire experience of making Kids, and the shocking and heartbreaking aftermath. This is another well-made documentary from Eddie Martin that successfully includes footage from both past and present. The pacing is great, as are the impressive cuts and edits. Given the themes, there are plenty of touching and sad moments. Loaded with great trivia and fascinating details, this feature left me feeling significantly impacted and heavy-hearted.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/23

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Eddie Martin

Director

Jon Abrahams

Self

Priscilla Forsyth

Self

Eddie Martin

Writer

Shannon Swan

Producer

Hugh Miller

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

In the early 1990s, before New York City's mass gentrification, a group of disparate youth ventured outside their broken homes into the city's brutal streets. United by skateboarding, they cultivated a family and built a unique lifestyle that ultimately inspired Larry Clark's 1995 groundbreaking film, KIDS. The crew became overnight commodities, thrust into the mainstream spotlight. Left adrift under the bright lights, some discovered transcendent lives and careers -- while others, abandoned and unequipped to handle fame, suffered fatal consequences.

Director: Eddie Martin
Screenwriter: Eddie Martin
Production Co: Resolution Media
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English (Australia)
Runtime: 1h 30m