TERRANCE: An Important Story, Glossed Over

Terrance is a documentary short made by Joris Debeij and forms part of a series of films (I Am Los Angeles) that focus on the stories of people who live in Los Angeles. Terrance documents the life of the young black teenager, Terrance Thompson, his losses, and his resulting depression.

All things going to plan, Terrance Thompson will have graduated high school by the time you read this review. In his, so far, short life he has lost a number of family members and caregivers. His father has never been around, and after the loss of his mother at a young age it is clear that he has tried hard to stay out of the foster care system and in school. All these events have resulted in his suffering from PTSD and depression from an early age. He is quiet, contemplative, and for all we can see a smart and strong young man. But we never really find out for certain.

Debeij’s documentary is not hugely revealing. Terrance dictates his story the way any teenage boy would, simply. These words are narrated over heavily choreographed scenes of Terrance moving around his house, and walking around his school. It’s a very staged and slick production, and completely undermines the reality of Terrance’s story. Yes, Terrance is better now, and he is a teenage boy, so maybe he isn’t going to become too emotional on screen. But, I feel, his story would have had more depth and resonance were he talking directly to us, down the camera.

Debeij’s attempt at revealing the often overlooked story of the young black male and his fight with mental illness is to be lauded. Unfortunately it’s just too cold, too clinical and I get the feeling that this is more about making a good looking film and not about telling Terrance’s story. As for the filmmaking itself? This is a good production, but it’s not a good documentary. I am left wondering so many things about Terrance, and still have a desperate need for him to talk to me directly, albeit through a camera. How did he feel when he lost his mother? Has school been difficult for him? Does he feel lonely? I fervently hope that Terrance has now graduated, and has a good future ahead of him. But it’s a real shame that the film didn’t allow me to know him better.

What did you think of Terrance?

(top image source: I Am Los Angeles)