In 1983, photographer Mary Ellen Mark and journalist Cheryl McCall expanded their Life magazine expose about homeless teens on the streets of Seattle into this haunting and beautiful film, made in conjunction with filmmaker Martin Bell. The teenage subjects are fascinating, none more so than fourteen-year-old Tiny, who seems like an elemental force of endurance and will. Nominated for an Academy Award. On Sept 15th we screen TINY: THE LIFE OF ERIN BLACKWELL, a 2016 follow-up on STREETWISE’s subject.

REVIEWS

“This shapelessness, and the unacknowledged presence of the camera in what seem to be small, intimate moments, would hurt the film if its interview footage were not so unmistakably authentic and, at times, so wrenching. STREETWISE has its touches of sensationalism, but much of it is all too real.” – Janet Maslin, New York Times

“Granted remarkable access to their world, the filmmakers craft a devastatingly frank, nonjudgmental portrait of lost youth growing up far too soon in a world that has failed them.” – Janus Films