PWN teen writers share their favorite books, movies, TV shows, and more every Friday to inspire young writers. We believe that the best way to become a stronger writer is to immerse yourself in other storytelling forms.
This week, teen writer Alexis Giglio shares three of her favorite movies.
Moonlight
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Moonlight is a stunning film that looks at the intersections of race, sexuality, poverty, and other pressing social issues through the story of Chiron, shown in three major stages of his life. I love that you can tell how much care was taken into fine-tuning the meaning of every scene and piece of dialogue; it feels like watching poetry unfold in front of you. Every character, and every relationship between characters, feels so raw and honest. The beauty in the way Jenkins treats the connections of all the issues present in the movie echoes the complexity of real life, and I can’t describe it as much other than gorgeous.
Loving Vincent
Directed by Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman
Loving Vincent, a film animated entirely out of real-life oil paintings, tells the story of Vincent van Gogh through the eyes of a man intrigued by the artist’s death. It features around 65,000 frames of hand-painted artwork in the style of van Gogh, making it the first of its kind. Its message—one of celebrating the art of being alive—is also particularly touching, especially considering the artist in question. If you’re interested in seeing how art forms can merge and interact with one another, this movie is a visually breathtaking example of that.
Dead Poets Society
Directed by Peter Weir
Dead Poets Society holds a soft spot in my heart. Telling the story of how a group of schoolboys is changed by their English teacher’s unconventional thinking, the film emphasizes the importance of writing, poetry, and discovering a unique voice in a world such as ours. Robin Williams plays Mr. Keating in a way that makes his character instantly likable. I also love how the film weaves in references to literature, from Thoreau to Shakespeare, in a way that deepens the meaning of the movie itself. It is funny, tragic, and beautiful at the same time, which I love.
Bridge Ink 