A group of street-tough Manhattan teens fight, party, take drugs, have sex and scoff at the consequences in this unflinching account of one day in their lives. Larry Clark's controversial, bleak portrait of societal decay originally garnered an NC-17 rating, which the filmmakers surrendered, opting instead to release the film unrated.

A bleak and uncompromising look at the dangerous world of New York street kids. The film focuses on the sexual experiences of Telly, a teen-aged seducer who desires only virgins. When Jennie -- who's had sex solely with Telly -- tests HIV positive, she frantically searches the city to tell him he's infected. Eventually, she finds him, but too late, for he's already deflowered his latest adolescent conquest.

Directorial debut for still photographer Larry Clark, whose work has inspired such filmmakers as Gus Van Sant ("Drugstore Cowboy,") Martin Scorsese ("Taxi Driver") and Francis Ford Coppola ("Rumble Fish"). Clark admits that he convinced himself to make a film after seeing Van Sant's film, which was itself influenced by Clark's pictures.

Produced by Independent and Guys Upstairs.

Color by Technicolor.

Additional credits: Ford Wheeler (set decorator); Charles R. Hunt (sound mixer) and Tracy Warbin (make-up, hairstylist).

Although the film was rated NC-17 by the MPAA, it was released unrated. As of 7/17/1995, the NC-17 rating has been surrendered.

Justin Pierce won an Independent Spirit Award for best debut performance.

Excerpt: "I have no legs! I have no legs!" -- song sung by guy with no legs

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Single Layer
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer

Leo Fitzpatrick: Actor/"Kids"
Justin Pierce: Actor/"Kids"
Chloë Sevigny: Actress, BOYS DON'T CRY, KIDS
Rosario Dawson: Actress

Larry Clark: Director/photographer, KIDS/KEN PARK

Harmony Korine: Screenwriter/"Kids"

"...A brave and provocative piece of work..." - Recommended
"...Powerful....KIDS is a very brave film for daring to chip away at the taboos surrounding its subjects..."
"Disturbingly precise because it is so believable....[The] film has an exceptional visual quality..."
"...The movie sees this culture in such flat, unblinking detail that it feels like a documentary; it knows what it's talking about..."
"...The young cast is dynamite....Fresh and ferocious..."
"...Starkly sensational....Played by a ferocious cast of nonactors..." -- Rating: B