Every Child
Every Child

Movie spotlight

Every Child

1979
Movie
6 min
English

This animated short follows an unwanted baby who is passed from house to house. The film is the Canadian contribution to an hour-long feature film celebrating UNESCO's Year of the Child (1979). It illustrates one of the ten principles of the Declaration of Children's Rights: every child is entitled to a name and a nationality. The film took home an Oscar® for Best Animated Short Film.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Ann HuGenres: Documentary, Short

Plot Summary

This short documentary offers a poignant look at the lives of children in contemporary China during the late 1970s. It explores their daily routines, educational experiences, and the societal expectations placed upon them in the post-Cultural Revolution era. The film aims to present an authentic glimpse into the childhoods of a generation shaped by significant political and social change.

Critical Reception

While not widely reviewed in the traditional sense due to its documentary nature and specific focus, 'Every Child' has been recognized for its ethnographic value and its sensitive portrayal of childhood during a pivotal period in Chinese history. It offers a valuable window into a less-documented aspect of Chinese society at the time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intimate and observational approach to its subjects.

  • Appreciated for providing a rare, unfiltered look at everyday life for Chinese children.

  • Considered a significant historical document for its specific time and place.

Google audience: Audience reviews are limited but generally highlight the film's historical significance and its ability to evoke empathy for its young subjects. Some note its straightforward, unembellished style as a strength.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.

Fun Fact

The director, Ann Hu, later went on to direct feature films such as 'The Family' and 'Beauty Remains'.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Produced to contribute to an UN initiative, this short feature sees a young child sitting on the lap of one of two sound effects artists in a radio studio and then takes us on an animated journey as this mischievous and curious baby manages...