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Name:Kech's avatar

Another good one is - In My Skin. Coming-of-age story of 16-year-old Bethan, who deals with the comical but painfully real anxieties and insecurities of teenage life, along with the stark reality of a home life that is far removed from what she projects to her friends.

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Kate Candidly's avatar

Citizen Ruth. It’s a bit mature in some ways but hilarious and a good illustration of activist extremes. I’m still waiting for the message to hit home, or at least surface.

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GenderRealistMom's avatar

I haven't seen it myself but based on what I've read about it maybe "A League Of their own" could be a fun movie for teen girls - strong women role models but not too in-your-face.

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Kate Candidly's avatar

Great movie - both my tween and teen loved it, and especially poignant is the sister relationship as the younger one tries to prove herself

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Mama07's avatar

Some of the movies that helped my daughter and me to stay connected to each other were "Metal Lords" (about 3 quirky kids forming a band), tv-series "Switched at Birth" (maturing in relashionships, growing up, bonding with family), and Tomm Moore films because they are beautiful 😍

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TeeCee's avatar

I would also add Quadrophenia (1979) which is all about identity and belonging and a recent Canadian film about finding your place in the world when you are 17 called I Like Movies (2022).

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Michelle Mackness's avatar

I loved the SE Hinton books, and film adaptations. And, I am today years old that I learnt she was a she!

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Kate Candidly's avatar

Just looking back at this for ideas

One more to share, maybe someone already did, but "To the Bone" (girl with eating disorder).

This one is powerful.

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Kate Candidly's avatar

Adding one - The Rachel Divide. Fair warning, it does actually touch on the topic of gender peripherally by way of news clips. This movie is a documentary about a Rachel Doleful, a woman who presented herself as black - she taugh black history & headed a local NAACP. It is a fascinating human story, and really interesting parallels. Lots of good questions were raised in talking about the film.

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Oct 19, 2023
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Stella O'Malley's avatar

Great point. It would be lovely to get some suggestions!

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Kate Candidly's avatar

Both the male leads in "Pretty in Pink" are good guys of different styles

Pursuit of Happyness is a great father role (exceptional but very moving story)

Depending the kid's age - Brooklyn 99 is hilarious and has a variety of male roles - humor is one of the best options for boys who don't 'fit' the mold

The Derry Girls - has a typical young man who is a minor character to a hilarious gaggle of awkward & brave girls in Ireland; it would make for good conversation since he is constantly correcting his female cousin that he is not gay (he's just a regular boy). I think this is what guys have to deal with. One girl does come out as gay.

There is a lot out there, but maybe not the "leads" - perhaps a good conversation??

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