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Cusp
A film by
Ruth Sergel
Grades 6 and up
This realistic portrait of late girlhood introduces the story of Alice, a spirited 12 year old fiercely struggling to retain her sense of self amid the newly emerging hierarchies and peer aggressions of the 6th grade. Inspired by “How Schools Shortchange Girls”, the landmark report issued by the American Association of University Women, Cusp honestly presents the emotional and personal trials that impact on girls’ self-esteem and performance in school. An empowering story of the importance of resiliency and strength of character, Cusp is an essential tool for helping girls to negotiate the coming of age process, ease changing mother-daughter relationships and overcome peer pressure.
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Black Maria Film Festival - Jurors' Citation Award |
- United Nations (NGO Committee on the Status of Women for the Special Session on the Status of Children)
- Women Make Waves
- Bumbershoot/One Reel Festival
- Michigan Womyn's Music Festival
- Stony Brook Film Festival
- Independent Feature Project - Buzz Cuts
- Lake Placid Film Forum
- Lower East Side Girls Film Festival
- Portland International Film Festival
- Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival
- Hamptons International Film Festival
- New Directors/New Films
“Strong acting and a good story…encapsulates the dreams and problems young teens encounter.”
Anitra Gordon
School Library Journal
“…highlights the pain and promise today’s girls often face in coming of age…a great addition to a teacher in service program in any middle or high school.”
Teaching Tolerance
“…raises thought provoking ideas that lead easily into conversations regarding strength, fighting back, and strong girls and women.”
Kathryn Herr, Editor
Youth and Society
“This video has…very strong messages about the push on adolescent females to take on the responsibilities of women, but still stay children…a nice compliment concerning the topic dealing with peer pressure.”
Hope Marie Cook
Educational Media Review Online
"A captivating film about a 12-year-old girl on the cusp of adolescence and the seemingly small everyday events that shape her struggles and her feistiness in retaining her sense of self. Revealing and rewarding."
Katie Wheeler, Executive Director
Girls' Coalition of Greater Boston
“An achingly tender vignette of Alice coming of age - vulnerable, awkward, resilient. This tale of a child becoming a young woman reveals a wide range of those sensitive issues every young girl faces: the love/hate of family ties, how even the closest friendships can dissolve without warning, and the power and meaning of beauty. Highly recommended.
Kathy Knisely
Belmont Day School
"A dead on depiction of the emotional growth spurts of adolescence...the pain and joy are authentic enough to leave you reeling."
Jennifer Vanasco
The Chicago Reader
"Lays bare the growing pains of a 12 year old girl."
The New York Times
"A richly hued, psychologically astute portrait."
Jessica Winter
The Village Voice
"...a dead on depiction of the emotional growth spurts of adolescence...the pain and joy are authentic enough to leave you reeling."
Jennifer Vanasco
The Chicago Reader
"A highlight of the Lower East Side Girls Film Festival."
V.A. Musetto
New York Post
How Schools Shortchange Girls Report from the AAUW
National Association for Self-Esteem
National Association for School Psychologists
Girls Count
Girls, Inc.
Books for Adults about Girls’ Loss of Self-Esteem
“Raising Confident Daughters” – An Excerpt from JoAnn Deak’s Book
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