Documentary
United Kingdom
7 Plus Seven is a documentary film directed by Michael Apted and released in 1970. It is the sequel to the 1964 film Seven Up!, and features the same group of 14 British children, who are now 14 years old. The children were first interviewed for Seven Up! when they were 7 years old, and this second film catches up with them after a gap of 7 years.
The film follows the same format as the first one, with interviews with each of the children about their lives, their hopes and fears, and their dreams for the future. Some of the children have changed quite a bit since the first film, while others seem to have remained largely the same. It is fascinating to see how each child has grown and developed over the years, and to learn about the challenges and opportunities they have faced.
Apted's film is an amazing time capsule of 1960s Britain, and is a powerful social commentary on the class system and the opportunities available to children from different backgrounds. It is also a touching and intimate portrait of these young people, who were unknowingly sharing their hopes and fears with the world.
7 Plus Seven is a must-see film for anyone interested in social history, documentary filmmaking, or simply in the lives of ordinary people. It is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the power of cinema as a tool for understanding and empathy.
