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Directed by: Lucy Walker Starring: bunch of Amish folk This is a documentary about the Amish tradition known as Rumspringa, which is the event where around the age of 16, all Amish kids go out into the real world (the titular Devil's Playground) and lives like the "english" people. During this time, the kids do a bunch of drugs, party like rockstars, and sex sex sex it up; but, as long as they come back to the Amish and join the church, they will be 100% forgiven for anything they do. This documentary follows around a few select children who are undergoing Rumspringa. We see the rampant meth use. We see the incredible parties that are thrown on Amish parents' farms for the local city kids. Obviously, kids who are so guarded as they grow up go buck-nutty when they finally get some freedom. Although the kids are forgiven if they join the church, if they join and then transgress against the church, they are permanently "shunned", which basically means that the family/community acts as if they don't exist, and they are excommunicated. One aspect I found quite interesting was that the Amish are not against modern conveniences or electricity, they are more against things that can corrupt a family. For instance, they will use washing machines, cars (only some do this), and other modern impliments as long as it doesn't destroy the family bonds. It turns out that 90% of the kids join the church, and the other 10% go out into the world and live "english" lives. All they have to do now is kick that nasty meth habit... This is worth seeing, and just short enough to where it doesn't become boring. 4/5 RATING: 4 PROS: very interesting look at Amish religion/society CONS: a little overly focused on just a few select kids ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://imdb.com/title/tt0293088/
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Dec 22, 2004 20:22
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| # ? May 4, 2024 23:23 |
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