Australian filmmaker Genevieve Bailey set off around the world to produce this documentary feature film and online project.
I AM ELEVEN is a globe-spanning portrait of humanity at a crucial age – no longer children, not quite adults, preparing to inherit a world changing as quickly and dramatically as they are. This documentary focuses on a series of eleven-year-olds from 15 countries, each speaking in their own words and revealing the private obsessions and public concerns that animate their lives. It is simultaneously an epic survey of the similarities and distinctions between cultures and an intimate account of these young personalities finding their way in the world today.
Eleven-year-olds share, in different languages their thoughts on a range of subjects issues such as love, war, global warming, music, terrorism, culture, family, happiness, religion and the future. Each of their situations allows a single glimpse into a young mind, and combine to provide a powerful insight into the future of our world. As straight up and personal as the ‘7 Up Series’, and with the comedy and honesty of ‘Spellbound’, this documentary enables us to explore an age where these ‘not quite kids, not quite teenagers’ briefly linger, between the frank openness and sometimes naivety of childhood, and the sharp and surprisingly brave wisdom and knowing of adulthood. As much as it is a story about them, it is a story with them, of what it is like to be eleven today. This documentary and www.iameleven.com presents strikingly personal portrayals of a generation exploring their take on personal and global issues. We invite you to leave comments and interact with our subjects.
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Genevieve Bailey - Director, Producer, Cinematographer and Editor
Genevieve grew up in Melbourne and her love of capturing moving images began early, from age 8. Since then Genevieve has produced over 40 short films, documentaries and music videos.
Genevieve’s films have screened internationally at festivals and have picked up over 25 awards to date. I AM ELEVEN is her first feature documentary.
Genevieve founded production company ‘Proud Mother Pictures’ and the Melbourne documentary community ‘doco3000.’
Inspired by the children she met making I AM ELEVEN, Genevieve established the Darlingheart Foundation which works to empower and inspire women and children from disadvantaged communities.
Henrik Nordstrom - Co Producer, Photographer, Additional Cinematography
Nick Huggins is a Melbourne musician and producer who loves to mess around with sounds, analogue or digital, accidental or intentional. He particularly enjoys writing to the moving image.
His credits include the Australian Music Prize nominated debut by Kid Sam, and much of the roster of Melbourne’s most exciting indie label, Two Bright Lakes.
He was described by Mess and Noise’s Darren Levin as ‘one of the best pop arrangers working in Australia today.’
Genevieve, Nick and Henrik at the 60th Melbourne International Film Festival