Rocks (Sarah Gavron, 2019): United Kingdom

Reviewed by Shayne Casso-Cloonan. Viewed at the AFI Fest 2019.

Rocks is a profound film, delving into the life of a young woman, no older than 14, fighting to become the parental figure that she so painfully lacks. Starting the film with the sounds of laughter, singing, and an overall feeling of happiness, the tone quickly shifts when Rocks, played by the talented Bukky Bakray, comes home from school to find that her mother has essentially abandoned Rocks and her insightful younger brother Emmanuel, played by D’angelou Osei Kissiedu, leaving nothing for them but some cash and a short, hand-written letter.

This a heart-wrenching coming of age film, in which we see this beautiful and intelligent young woman learning to do things that I can both relate to, and also lack an extreme understanding of. The content of this film dives deep into so many different aspects of life that I couldn’t previously even try to imagine. We see the lasting impressions of community support and sisterhood, particularly involving a hilariously familiar scene in which the main character, Rocks, is learning how to use a tampon as her friend Sumaya, played by Kosar Ali, stands up on a toilet, peering over the wall of the bathroom stall, instructing Rocks on what to do. Rocks is nervous about putting it in and her friend calms her by saying: “It’s not long enough to take your virginity!”

Director Sarah Gavron, along with writers Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson, gracefully present these young actors in a way that is as non-exploitative as possible. I had already believed the acting to be quite incredible, when I found out that most of the film was improvised. The filmmakers scouted the young women, brought them in, gave them the overall premise of what was to be happening, and let them go with the flow. They weren’t professionals, but it sure felt that way while watching it. I especially must commend D’angelou Osei Kissiedu on his amazing acting as a child of only seven year old! The tears were real, and I cried along with him.

The film brings up vast issues, such as abandonment, race, financial instability, isolation and maturity, and with this, especially focuses on the varying ways in which we individually view authority. We all have different experiences with culture, and the decisions we make in life really depend on those ideals. It is truly a beautiful story that I want everyone to watch, never mind their personal background.