The teenage years are a challenge for many of us – it’s tough enough to try and fit in during a period of such physical and mental change. We start to see the world differently, and we learn that the follies of childhood are certainly not something that we can hold onto forever. What makes this experience even more complicated is that some of us aren’t quite adherent with the status quo – adolescence is most difficult for the outcasts. However, there are some ways that we can circumvent this, which serves as the foundation for Camp, the sleeper classic by Todd Graff, who tells the story of a group of teenagers who make their way to Camp Ovation, where they plan to spend the summer engaging in the camp’s well-known practice of gruelling theatrical productions. They all say they enjoy the experience of learning from the best (with some of their camp counsellors being amongst the most preeminent individuals in their field), but what really draws them to pass the dog days of summer is the companionship they find amongst their fellow residents. This is a place where it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – you’re accepted as part of the family, formed into a strong bond of friendship with people that may come from radically different backgrounds, but are all united by their desire to find friends, something they often struggle to do in the outside world. Camp is a wonderful little film – a sweet and sentimental drama about friendship and defying the odds that are normally stacked against us in times of particular psychological hardship – and with a healthy dosage of gentle comedy, endearing drama and a lot of strong music, Graff made one of the most touching explorations of the teenage years ever committed to film, and a genuinely insightful story of growing into ones own unique qualities by realizing there is more to life than just fitting in.

It’s important to note that Camp is an independent film in every sense of the word. This isn’t the highly stylised, alternative brand of film popular with those who have a penchant for offbeat stories. Instead, it’s a very small, intimate character study that uses mainly non-professional actors (and those that had experience in the craft were mainly making their screen debut, after having worked on stage), and made on a shoestring budget. Graff didn’t have many resources that enabled him to make the most flawless film, so it’s unsurprising that there are a few shortcomings scattered throughout Camp, a film that some have disparaged for clearly being the work of a group of novices (the term “amateur”, while perhaps appropriate, is still very harsh). However, as is often the case with the purest independent productions, there is an abundance of heart embedded in the project that helps it overcome even the most insurmountable challenges. The director had a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve with this film – telling the story of roughly a dozen characters and their interweaving lives, all coming into contact over a single summer as they come to understand their own identities, while learning about each other in an environment that only helps in facilitating long-lasting friendships. They go through various challenges, and while much of the film can be quite awkward (a few of the performers, particularly those in the supporting ensemble, are clearly newer to the craft, and can occasionally pull us out of the gritty realism of the film, but not in a way that is too distracting), but there’s hope simmering just below the surface, and while it may sometimes come across as slightly more happy-go-lucky than most would expect from certain situations, the optimism that underpins the film helps elevate it and make it truly special, so much that we don’t even notice the slight flaws that persist throughout.

In casting a group of relatively unknown actors, Graff covertly introduces us to some of the most gift young performers of their generation, with Camp being filled to the brim with talent. The most recognizable member of the cast is likely Anna Kendrick, who has a major supporting role, and is likely the reason many will seek this film out in the first place, especially as she continues to grow into one of the most versatile actresses working today. However, looking deeper into the film, we find there is a wide array of distinct characters, each one of them played by a very promising performer, and given moments to shine, proving what a community-based project this was. Daniel Letterle is one of the de facto leads, playing the young, impressionable Vlad who ventures into the unknown of a mysterious performing arts camp, being an outsider in an environment built almost entirely on those who don’t fit in. Robin de Jesús is Michael, the most damaged character in the film, whose own identity has been the cause of a lot of physical and mental abuse, even from his own family, who fail to see that, despite his sexual preferences, there is nothing about him that precludes him from deserving their love. There are also some stunning moments from Sasha Allen and Tiffany Taylor, who use their incredible voices to elevate the film and heighten the emotional stakes, which only grow into touching sequences that are likely to move even the most cynical of viewers. Arguably, it does take some degree of suspension of disbelief to entirely invest in Camp, since a lot of what makes these characters interesting is how they’re essentially stock characters that Graff develops in his own unique way, but once you have been captivated by this story, it’s unlikely that it’ll lose you afterwards.

Camp is a film that is going to resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they don’t quite fit in. This is a story built around finding the value in being an outsider, where the feelings of inadequacy that come about in everyday life are turned into a reason to celebrate, since our unique qualities are not something that should be hidden away from public view. Graff understands that there is more to a story of outcasts than just frequent portrayals of different kinds of bullying – the oscillation between heartbreaking moments of despair with uplifting sequences in which these young people abandon their inhibitions and just express themselves in the way they feel is most natural, is absolutely spellbinding and helps move this film along considerably, giving it a real sense of nuance and elegance, which only further encapsulates why it is so special. Graff may have made some strange choices with some of the dialogue, and a few moments come across as forced (but considering the theatrical nature of the story, it would’ve been surprising had there not been such situations), but for the most part, this is a film designed to speak to those of us who either are currently experiencing these crises of identity that make our younger years unbearable, or went through them in the past. For those who align with the former, Camp shows that there is always a way forward and a community ready to cherish and nurture creative young minds. For those who fall into the latter, the film provides a sobering reminder of the many different avenues we travelled in our youth, and how we managed to work through the challenging days and found comfort in the joyful ones, which tend to linger more than others.

Stories like the one at the heart of Camp have been popularized by various other films and television shows, with projects like the High School Musical franchise and Glee showcasing the importance of performing arts in developing the hearts and minds of younger people. Without Graff’s wonderful little film, these projects likely would not have existed, since even as recently as 2003, these ideas were not often found on mainstream platforms, normally being reserved for independent productions to cover. It meant that Camp didn’t receive as wide an audience as it perhaps deserved – understandably, this is a film targetted at a very niche audience, which resulted in it becoming something of a cult success, one that is appreciated by a smaller section of the general population that can perhaps enjoy it a bit more than those who may not be able to relate to this story. However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that this film isn’t only for those with a penchant for performance and musical theatre, but a gorgeous story of overcoming obstacles, whether they be those we encounter on the outside, or within ourselves. It’s simple, stunning and always beautifully insightful, and as we immerse ourselves deeper into the world Graff has invited us to explore, the more we realize what a resounding work of delicate humanity Camp is, and how it deserves to be seen and appreciated far more than the small but dedicated fanbase it has amassed over the years, since it’s certain most of us will be able to find something in this film that relates to our own experiences, with this film showcasing the merits of holding on for another day, regardless of the situations surrounding it, since there’s always a better prospect on the horizon.