Testament Of Youth_James Kent

Today after a hour train Journey and an early morning start, we went down to Leister Sqaure to watch the first screening of film version of the real life novel 'Testament Of Youth'. Preparing myself for a boring and over lengthened production I was soon corrected. This 2014 film was made based on the first world war in 1914-1919 exploring the relationship and loss of loved ones and struggles the females went through when the males were forced to join up and serve the county. We are introduced to the main Suffragist female straight away as it shows us the present day of her life. After the 2 minute introduction non-linear is shown when we are taken back 4 years of her life to where the war and her biggest nightmare first began. James Kent used a large range of Mise En Scene with each and every character as they all had a variety of props/clothing and had to switch body language and emotion repeatedly throughout. I felt like James had tried to grasp the viewers and give them an idea of how living through the war changed people and ruined lives. We look deeper into the lives of thoses living in that century and the rules they had to follow eg:females cannot be left alone with a male unless a relative is constantly present. This shocked me when watching as teenagers these days can date and be free from young ages of 13, yet a well matured 17 years back in the 1900's was forbidden.  Personally I think he grabbed our emotional sides as we became connected towards the characters and understood their pain. i would most definitely recommend this new film to any and everyone as it had me in tears throughout and made me realize how lucky i our generation are to have the privileges we have.