We Grown Now

Minhal Baig’s gem of a film focuses on two young Black boys whose pride in where they’re from lights up the screen

Told primarily from Malik’s point of view, the film delicately captures both the wonder and tunnel vision of adolescence, particularly through its depiction of the built-in defense mechanism that is his imagination.

Stay through the credits to experience Chicago photojournalist Marc PoKempner’s portraits from the now-demolished Cabrini-Green – lyrical proof that a community is far more than its crime statistics.

Writer/director Minhal Baig’s ‘90s coming-of-age drama is one of realistic warmth, rumbling hopes and roadblocks jutting up in front of children whose very existence is defiant.