Coming-of-age stories in film are a dime a dozen. But just when you think you’ve seen every way that a filmmaker can spin the story of a teenager’s rise into adulthood, a film like “Rocks” comes along and proves you wrong.
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In the new trailer for “Rocks,” it’s clear that the British drama is a coming-of-age film that doesn’t rely on a silly school dance or unrequited love to carry its story and usher in a new phase in a young person’s life. In the film, a young woman is forced to grow up when authorities begin to suspect that she and her brother are living alone, without a legal guardian. With the help of her friends, she’s able to grow up and continue living and protecting her sibling in the process.
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We were able to catch “Rocks” when it debuted at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. In our review, we described the film as “a brilliantly raw and compassionate coming-of-age picture that listens to the details and isn’t afraid to hit where it hurts.”
The film stars Bukky Bakray, Kosar Ali, Shaneigha-Monik Greyson, Ruby Stokes, Tawheda Begum, Anastasia Dymitrow, and Afi Okaidja. “Rocks” is directed by Sarah Gavron, who previously helmed the 2015 film, “Suffragette.”
“Rocks” doesn’t currently have a US release date, but it should arrive in UK cinemas on April 10.
Here’s the synopsis:
The film follows teenager Rocks (Bukky Bakray) who fears that she and her little brother Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu) will be forced apart if anyone finds out they are living alone. With the help of her friends, she evades the authorities and navigates the most defining days of her life. ROCKS is a film about the joy, resilience and spirit of girlhood.