Friday, July 11, 2008

MOVIE: 49 UP



The Up Series consists of a series of documentary films that have followed the lives of fourteen British children since 1964, when they were seven years old. The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, with the explicit assumption that each child's social class predetermines their future. Every seven years, the director, Michael Apted, films new material from as many of the fourteen as he can get to participate. The latest film, 49 Up, was released in September 2005; filming for the next instalment in the series, 56 Up, is expected in late 2011 or early 2012.



49 Up is the latest installment in this series and the last one until 2012. It's weird that I don't have any more to watch. I kind of expected to keep watching it until these people grow old and die until I realized that they are still living. I probably will be able to watch it until the series ends, its just now I have to wait every 7 years, like they do.

49 Up shows everyone who was in it before and reminds us of the people who still do not take part in it. Except for John, who kind of comes and goes in the series. He says that he hates to be apart of it but he does it because its a good way to let people know of issues that he cares about. Everyone in 49 Up looks a lot older and seems a lot wiser. They have experienced so much in life that they are pros. They have come a long way from being 7.

Everyone seems like they are still happy with the life they have. Some have had children and grandchildren. Some have said that they are so content with the life they have that they see no reason to keep doing the program and will not return after this. I wonder if that's how it will end. If they all stop doing it then there is nothing to film. I'm almost positive that director Michael Apted will die of old age before any of them will. So, when he goes, who will take over? Will it end with his death?

It's frustrating having to wait every 7 years now to see the next one but if you think about it, by the time I am 49, most of the people in the series will probably be dead. A grave thought but it must be nice to know that no one will forget them.

49 Up is a 7 out of 10.


BUY "49 UP" FROM CDUNIVERSE FOR $21.89

MY REVIEWS OF SEVEN UP!, 7 PLUS SEVEN, 21 UP, 28 UP, 35 UP AND 42 UP.

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