THE IMPORTANCE OF Coming-Of-Age FILMS

FILMS FILMS FILMS

by Troi Ramoso

Whether you’re a casual movie-watcher or a self-proclaimed cinephile, you’ve probably encountered the term “coming-of-age”, especially when used in film genres. Let’s quickly define what counts as a film that is “coming-of-age” and why it is important for teenagers and adolescents.

Coming-of-age is a genre that primarily explores the protagonist’s (usually a young teenager) journey and transition into adulthood or a more mature stage in life. Usually in a coming-of-age film, the young protagonist undertakes a responsibility that is fairly new to them and haven’t encountered before — this includes them being in their first relationship, or finding their identity, or basically the protagonists undergoing something wrong in their life that turns into some sort of lesson at the ending.

This genre is very important, especially for its targeted audience, because coming-of-age films (and books alike) portray the very feeling of growing up and transitioning from one stage of your life to another, and it’s something that the majority of the audiences can relate to. Coming of age films takes us back to those journeys and memories, and everything else that we’ve been through.

In line with coming-of-age films, here are some local film suggestions that you could watch and live your “main character” moment: