I used to watch this all the time on PBS as a kid growing up in the 80's. I'm not sure how it made it onto TV and why my parents let me watch it, because I was pretty young and it deals with very raw themes. Years later in my adulthood I remembered it; the black and white images just stuck in my sub-conscience. I have re-watched it a couple times now and have learned more about Mary Ellen Mark and the context of the film, including the Green River Killer who murdered one of the young women from the film.
I think everyone should watch this to appreciate and better understand the trauma that leads young people into life in the streets, and how that trauma is then perpetuated and amplified. While it's hard to watch what these kids went through, Mark and Bell filmed with such respect and compassion, it's impossible not to feel that sense of affection for the kids and the hope that they will find their way out of the trauma. It really sheds a light on addiction, the reasons that drive people into prostitution, the ways that the kids still find joy in life... It's just an amazing, beautiful, raw, and eye-opening film that personally changed my perspective. This is truly one of the best films I've ever seen in my life.
I think everyone should watch this to appreciate and better understand the trauma that leads young people into life in the streets, and how that trauma is then perpetuated and amplified. While it's hard to watch what these kids went through, Mark and Bell filmed with such respect and compassion, it's impossible not to feel that sense of affection for the kids and the hope that they will find their way out of the trauma. It really sheds a light on addiction, the reasons that drive people into prostitution, the ways that the kids still find joy in life... It's just an amazing, beautiful, raw, and eye-opening film that personally changed my perspective. This is truly one of the best films I've ever seen in my life.