Institute History
Description
Little Birds emanates both a harsh reality and an innocent luster as it explores the vigorous desire to escape one’s home—and the heavy price it can cost.
Fifteen-year-old Lily and her best friend, Alison, live on the shores of the Salton Sea. Sprinting toward adulthood, Lily wants to escape her depressing hometown. But Alison is content with her life; she enjoys being sheltered from the uncertainty of growing up. When the girls meet three street kids, Lily convinces Alison to follow the boys to Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of excitement and danger, the girls must decide how far they are willing to go to get what they want.
Writer/director Elgin James possesses an innate understanding of the fledgling characters, valiantly brought to life on the screen by Juno Temple and Kay Panabaker, who perfectly embody their strength and fragility. Brutally honest and beautifully rendered, Little Birds delivers a stunning portrait of innocence lost.
(Archives note: see also Elgin James' Meet The Artist interview on our YouTube Channel.)