20th Century Women
dir. Mike Mills · 2016
Navigating the complexities of growth and identity often requires the influence and support of diverse perspectives from those around us.
"20th Century Women" is a poignant exploration of motherhood and identity set against the backdrop of 1970s California, where generational perspectives collide in a warm, nostalgic narrative. With its rich character development and contemplative tone, this film invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of growing up and the bonds that shape us.
In 1979 Santa Barbara, California, Dorothea Fields is a determined single mother in her mid-50s who is raising her adolescent son, Jamie, at a moment brimming with cultural change and rebellion. Dorothea enlists the help of two younger women – Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist living as a boarder in the Fields' home and Julie, a savvy and provocative teenage neighbour – to help with Jamie's upbringing.
Talking points
- the role of women in shaping identity
- the impact of cultural change on family dynamics
- the complexities of adolescence
- the nature of unconventional family structures
