Heads up, Seven up!

"Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man." This is the Jesuit motto that sparked Seven Up!, the unique UK series which first brought us into the lives of fourteen children from various walks of life. The series revolves around the theme that an individual's personal and moral fiber begins developing in the early stages of childhood.

In 1964, 20 children were brought together, out of which 14 kids were picked. They were asked questions about their schooling, their future careers, thoughts on family, and more. They let us into their deepest desires and darkest dreams. Since then, director Michael Apted has returned to these children every seven years, until they hit 56, allowing them to re-answer those questions and evaluate the personal changes they've experienced. Today, Michael Apted and Paul Almond's documentary 56 Up is screening at the Ritz at the Bourse.

Decades later, as reality television continues to expand over multiple networks, 56 Up, and all its previous installations, continues to be one of the most significant examinations of individual growth and development. What's remarkable is that these subjects are not celebrities and the task can be far from glamorous. In fact, Michael Apted has stated in interviews about the struggle it can be convincing them all to return, sometimes without successful results. Some of the individuals have stated their qualms on camera about the stress surrounding the films. Charles Furneaux, a participant who later went on to be a documentary filmmaker himself, has dropped out of the series completely. Still, over the years most have continued to move forward, through divorces, new occupations, growing families, and more. Neil Hughes, one of the subjects of the film, even went through the dramatic change of going from being homeless to having a career in politics.

In observing this film, one can't help but become nostalgic. As we're invited into these 14 people's lives, they begin to feel less like strangers and more like reflections of ourselves. It allows us to ask the question: If we had the chance to look back, what would we think about our lives, today?

56 Up is now playing at The Ritz Bourse, 400 Ranstead St. Click here for movie times and more information.