Scary Time (1960) User Reviews

Jolting Juxtaposition

[st-shot · 7/10 · 19 December 2021]

I have a feeling a couple of folks at UNICEF were called onto the carpet to explain the thinking behind the powerfully graphic imagery in a charity campaign promotion entitled Scary Time. Directed by controversial filmmaker Shirley Clarke it is a savage jump cut montage of childhood fantasy with the reality of impoverished third world children in dire need of food and care. The fantasy side taking place on Halloween is carefree and sloppy while much of the imagery of agonizing children is darkly sobering, its raw power perhaps too blatant and jarring for staid execs at a respected world wide charity. It certainly gets its pitch across about childhood fear both real and for those privileged to mock it. The imbalance of the unkempt made fiction with the jarring and powerful documentary footage transitions poorly but not before momets that will drain you.

Sobering

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 25 April 2024]

"You know a milkshake costs as much as a year's supply of medicine for a kid who's got leprosy? And a submarine costs twice as much as UNICEF spends in two whole years."

It's a promotional short for UNICEF, but there is undeniable power in the juxtaposition of American kids happily enjoying Halloween and less fortunate kids in the world suffering. The film still makes one reflect on the unfairness of it all, with the most innocent among us in such pain, obviously still true today. The shots of children from other countries dancing and smiling towards the end were a nice touch, adding some degree of balance to this sobering film.

playful and polemic

[stomach17 · 6/10 · 22 February 2021]

A Unicef funded documentary to help explain American holiday of Halloween to the outside world. Fantastic, whimsical music and all the narration is by children and from their perspective. The film takes time to show how children around the world are all the same--plating, crying, etc. Halloween is shown as play here. The film also takes time to show to American children that not all children in the world can do trick or treat because of poverty or violence. It introduces the idea of children collecting funds for Unicef and hungry children rather than candy for themselves. It reminds children in America that not all kids are as lucky as them. Again, the music in this film has great variety and playfulness and is really wonderful. 6.5 stars out of 10. This film was apparently suppressed.