IMDb 7.2 2021 HD

We Were Once Kids

We Were Once Kids

2021
Documentary
88 min NR Australia
7.583 / 10
7.2 IMDB

In the early nineties, before the massive gentrification of many of New York's then slums, several young people from very disparate backgrounds left their broken homes and ventured…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Eddie Martin
Starring
Hamilton Harris / Harold Hunter / Highlyann Krasnow / Jon Abrahams / Justin Pierce / Priscilla Forsyth / Javier Nunez / Jamal Simmons

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gritty authentic poignant raw found family resilient urban formative coming-of-age impactful community challenging

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Mar 30, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'We Were Once Kids' is a powerful and essential companion piece to a landmark film. It delves into the lived experiences of the young skaters whose raw realities formed the basis of 'Kids', offering a more intimate and…

L
Liam O'Connell
Mar 30, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

This documentary offers a fascinating, if somewhat uneven, glimpse into the lives of the skaters who would later inspire Larry Clark's 'Kids'. 'We Were Once Kids' excels in capturing the gritty reality of early nineties New York street…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Mar 30, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A potent and deeply affecting exploration of found family and resilience, 'We Were Once Kids' is a triumph of documentary filmmaking. It delves into the lives of young people who, escaping broken homes, constructed a vibrant, albeit precarious,…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Mar 30, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'We Were Once Kids' serves as a vital, if sometimes sobering, prologue to a cinematic landmark. The film’s strength lies in its unvarnished portrayal of disparate youths finding a collective identity through skateboarding amidst the urban decay of…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 30, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This documentary offers a compelling, often poignant, look at the raw origins of a cultural moment. 'We Were Once Kids' succeeds by grounding its narrative in the authentic experiences of its young subjects, painting a vivid picture of…

FAQs

The tone of 'We Were Once Kids' appears to be one of gritty realism and poignant reflection. It aims to capture the unvarnished experiences of its subjects, focusing on their resilience, their bonds, and the unique lifestyle they forged. While it acknowledges the challenging circumstances, the documentary also celebrates the spirit of community and self-discovery that skateboarding provided for these young individuals in a pre-gentrified New York.