“Kids” by Larry Clarke is primarily a film of social realism on the youth of America and provides a social commentary on its state. Dystopia can be understood to be the opposite of Utopia, which is described as a perfect world in which everything is in harmony. Dystopia can then be defined as a world of misery, poverty, disease and oppression; ultimately, a place of discord. The “American Dream” for some is the idea that regardless of what someone was born into (their ascribed status) they can gain wealth, fame and success through sheer hard work and achieve status. “Kids” can be argued to depict a dystopia with its content of typically outrageous behaviour and therefore, could represent the undermining of the American Dream which is a culmination of values obtained throughout America’s short history.
The opening of Kids shows the controversial dichotomy of underage sex between the protagonist Telly and a thirteen year old girl. This is conflicting because it is related to the problem in modern societies of teenage pregnancies, STD’s and the contraction of AIDS if unprotected. It is a dichotomy because maybe their sexual relationship would be understood were it in the context of a loving, respectful relationship however, it proves to be otherwise. There seems to be disrespect for the girl on Telly’s part in that he doesn’t use protection and that he only wants to have sex because he wants to deflower her, or as he puts it “I love virgins…no diseases… I like em new”. This represents modern views of materialism in which new is more sought after than second hand.
This situation can also show the naivety of the girl for letting him have sex with her without a condom, and also when there is no formal relationship between them such as girlfriend/boyfriend. Therefore, this could show lack of respect for females and the lack of respect they have for themselves; which could eventually leave to the destruction of their lives. And this is a key point in that the “kids” don’t think about the consequences of their actions, which in essence shows a disregard for future generations and therefore a breakdown of some sort.
Their lack of ability to reflect and think about their actions is shown to the extreme in some situations. Telly, his friend Casper and a large group of boys viciously attack a black youth, kicking him in the head leaving him unconscious before spitting in his face. Their behaviour can only be described as animal like with their gang mentality, the non-existence of any rationality, common decency or morals. There also seems to be a breakdown of language amongst the youth, a common motif in post modern dystopian texts. The contempt between individuals stretches as far as for them as to refer to females as “bitches” and black people as “niggers”. However, it can then be asserted that they are just kids themselves and that they learnt the words from somewhere, unmistakeably having been socialised by the generations before them. Therefore, this film can be seen to be a film of caution to parents, and not simply to scapegoat the youth of modern society.
Furthermore, the young people show no decorum when kissing with tongues in public at various points in the film. Such events as these represent a change in society, as many people in the past would have frowned upon explicit behaviour in public. This behaviour is deeply contrasted with an old man playing the accordion on a train platform. The old man can be seen to represent the old way of life, and a simple way of finding happiness through positive means, such as playing an instrument. Its significance is such that Clark chooses to hold the frame for a substantial amount of time on the man and a pre-pubescent boy who dances around him to the music. And this for me shows how youths go deeper and darker trying new things in the conquest for happiness, yet miss the point completely. Is this the result of a disillusioned or misled youth?
This brings me to note that there are limited adult roles within the film, with adult appearances few and far between. This could suggest a lack of role models for these youths, and more frighteningly a deficiency of good role models for the younger generation yet to come. This is emulated in the presence of the pre-pubescent boys at a party. The way they sit on the chair smoking cannabis with their armpits exposed to reveal no hair shows their tender ages. They are exposed to drug taking, sexual endeavours and contemptuous language, which all accumulate into the theft of their innocence, which many parents today try so hard to protect but proves difficult in a day of mass media. The contradiction is highlighted when one of the young boys who is wearing a cross on his neck chain, talks about the greatness of Jesus Christ whilst smoking cannabis. This could bring to light the lack of influence religion actually has on youths and possibly the misunderstanding of it.
Clark, nevertheless still retains a stance of hope with some situations showing an element of compassion. This is shown when Casper and Telly come into contact with a man with no legs begging on a train. The vulnerability of the man is shown in the shots where he is seen to be a foreigner speaking little English and also falling off of a skateboard which is his means of mobility. The camera shots seem to indicate that the boys will push the man over when he approaches them. However, Casper shows an element of humanity by giving the man some money. Thus, suggesting that deep down the “Kids” are capable of compassion and that there is still hope. Indeed, the man could also be a reminder that there are always those worse off than ourselves, and that life is the most important thing you can have, which the youth who have contracted AIDS have devalued and thrown away.
The final comment of the film is cleverly ambiguous, with Casper waking up in the morning after the party saying “Jesus Christ what happened”. With hindsight of knowing Casper had raped the girl, who had contracted HIV from Telly a year ago, the viewer can understand it to mean that Casper without his inhibitions through the use of drugs and alcohol, was capable of the evil; and he in turn was ignorant of the risks. It can therefore, be seen to be a comment on society that if people continue to live like this, blindfolded and un-inhibited without taking responsibility for their actions youth and populous are a dying breed alike. With every generation being influenced primarily by a previous generation it can be argued that the “American Dream” was only a dream, every era had its rebels and with technological development which enhances mass media, this rebellion can be seen as more of an epidemic.
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