Margie Hawkins, Intake Worker

Ozark-Dale County Family Service Center, USA, May 2009

10 X 14 Bricks should be very effective in the classroom of teens and young adults because of its personnal nature and the sincere approach used to relate true stories of actions taken and consequences that resulted in each case.

Each one was genuine and sometimes heart breaking in its sincereity.  Especially impressive was the way in which each story was told from the director’s viewpoint and given a personal side by including family members and friends.

The story told what life was like on a daily basis for each person and what their hopes for the future were.  After each story was told, the viewer was given a chance to see what has happened to each person six months later.  Some of the people in the stories were released and some were still incarcerated. This gives the viewer a true sense of the real life outcomes of people who get into these situations.

One story was entitled “If Only”, and ask the question, what might have been the outcome for this particular individual if only this one incident had not taken place.  This is a question most people have asked themselves at one time or other in their life experiences.  This type of question leads to self-evaluation and can be of help when the next incident presents itself.

All the people who are telling their stories in this film are between the ages of 15 and 19  years old and their stories are true.  Teens and young adults should be able to relate to these stories and to the people telling them.