ALL THIS PANIC

Being a teenage girl isn’t easy, although resiliency and friendship make the experience palatable. That’s the underlying message of the touching documentary ALL THIS PANIC, which follows a group of likeable, insightful Brooklyn teenagers over a three-year span. The film revolves around spitfire Ginger, an aspiring actress who’s at loose ends post-high school and struggling to find motivation, and her younger sister Dusty, who isn’t ready to grow up and leave childhood behind. Their friends include: sagacious Lena, a Sarah Lawrence student who’s worried about her father as he grapples with mental health issues; Sage, a confident teenage feminist exploring her black heritage and dealing with her dad’s sudden death; and Olivia, a shy surf enthusiast who’s coming to terms with the fact she’s gay. The teens are blunt about their insecurities and fears but undaunted as they withstand evolving friendships, shifting identities, and nagging parents. ALL THIS PANIC is a gorgeously shot, realistic portrayal of the angst and excitement present when you’re on the cusp of coming into your own. —A.Z.