Age group(s) for which this strategy is helpful:
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Instructions for using this strategy:
Use with TEACHERS-FACILITATORS GUIDE provided.
This feature documentary is a positive, upbeat, revealing portrait of 11 men from Holland Avenue in the Bronx, New York spanning more than 50 years. An emotional, passionate, psychological portrayal. It shows how each of these Boys, from working class backgrounds, has developed with respect to personal growth, careers, lifestyles and relationships while maintaining a camaraderie, brotherhood and intimacy through interaction and support for each other. The film vividly reflects character traits that have contributed to their successes and helped them overcome obstacles. It shows genuine feelings for each other, recounts enduring memories of their early lifestyle, informs as to how their successes have impacted on others and tells how they see their futures developing.

This production reveals much about human relationships and also evidences the effect on the Boys' growth of environment, education, recreation, religion, societal and social pressures, family and peers. It captures important aspects of their development, such as competition, engendered by street games, reunions, role models and career, personal and educational choices. Interviews with the Boys, their wives, children and parents are juxtaposed with photographs and film. Viewers will be able to gain an insight into urban life of a bygone era in terms of values, support systems, opportunities and obstacles to success. The film also suggests how we can recapture some of these values and resources for current and future generations.

The story is told through the eyes of Howard Fischer, one of the Boys. He is the writer, producer and director and hopes that the making of documentaries will be his fourth career.

Other information parents should consider:
Form groups of other parents and their youngsters for discussions related to film.