Description
Love in the Time of Flannel captures the last day of school for a group of suburban pre-teens in a sleepy beachside suburbia in 1992. The early nineties were an awkward time of adolescence and coming of age for many teens. As cohort of individuals born during a particular time period and who share a common experience, this group forms a generation. This group is commonly known as Generation Y: Americans, born approximately between 1975 and 1985, who were in middle school and high school in the early 1990's. Gen Y represents an amalgamation that shares the cynical worldview of the older Generation X, but was raised with nurtured self-esteems by Baby Boomer parents. In twelve minutes, Love in the Time of Flannel tells the story of a fourteen year old boy, Josh, who has just learned the harsh reality of the middle school social hierarchy: although enrolled in the "gifted" classes, outside he's an unpopular nerd. Taught to embrace self-expression by their parents and teachers, Gen Y blurred the lines of popularity in school. Through edgy dialogue, the use of nostalgic elements and careful mise en scène, the film strives to resonate with current twenty-somethings. The project channels the ethos of a generation currently unsure of its role in history. For example, Josh's struggle with self-identityforeshadows Gen Y's later disenchantment with career opportunities after college. Simultaneously, the project appeals to a wider audience through the shared experience of adolescence and the broader theme of generational discord. The project strives to not only capture the unique ethos of Generation Y in its formative years but also add to the cultural conversation surrounding Gen Y. Scholars and journalists have debated the defining the characteristics of those born in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Although at times cynical, Gen Y saw greater acceptance of racial and sexual diversity in its formative years, while embracing a more positive view of authority. While the early 1990's may seem to almost too close to ready to revisit, the past filters into our culture rapidly. Generation Y is ready for a sophisticated treatment of their adolescence to call their own. Overall, Love in the Time of Flannel will add insight into the experiences that shaped Generation Y through a survey of literature, film and my own personal history. The DVD, an Appendix to the written report, is available for viewing at the Media Center of Love Library.
