We Grown Now

Told primarily from Malik’s point of view, the film delicately captures both the wonder and tunnel vision of adolescence, particularly through its depiction of the built-in defense mechanism that is his imagination.

Writer/director Minhal Baig’s ‘90s coming-of-age drama is one of realistic warmth, rumbling hopes and roadblocks jutting up in front of children whose very existence is defiant.

Minhal Baig’s gem of a film focuses on two young Black boys whose pride in where they’re from lights up the screen

Stay through the credits to experience Chicago photojournalist Marc PoKempner’s portraits from the now-demolished Cabrini-Green – lyrical proof that a community is far more than its crime statistics.

Both depictions of these parental roles provide structure and color the film with a touching sense of protection, but “We Grown Now” belongs, unshakably and entrancingly, to the boys.