Through Our Eyes

Through Our Eyes is an engaging and insightful documentary series, premiered on HBO Max in 2021. With beautiful cinematography and poignant storytelling, this emotional documentary series offers its viewers a deep dive into the stark realities of life as seen through the eyes of American children. It’s a compelling journey that promises to touch every viewer’s heart, aiming to illuminate society's most pressing problems through the experience of the most innocent among us.

Each episode of Through Our Eyes shares narratives from children experiencing issues such as homelessness, parental incarceration, and military caregiving. These real-life situations are narrated and seen from a child's point of view, humanizing these issues in a unique and engaging way. These stories examine the children’s resilience, determination, and hope even when dealing with situations and hardships typically associated with adults.

Through Our Eyes is divided into four-part stories, presenting the viewer with a raw but intimate picture of the various struggles faced by children from diverse backgrounds across the US. Each part tackles a different subject, ranging from the heartbreaking circumstances of child homelessness – the fight for survival on the streets, to children's experiences with military parents – the present day realities faced due to a loved one's deployment overseas, to the impact of parental incarceration – the trauma and longing that follows. The series is a hard-hitting exploration of these complicated realities, offering audiences an empathic insight into what these young children endure.

At the same time, the series doesn't shy away from acknowledging the hope, resilience, and spirit of these children, emphasizing their optimistic perspectives on the hardest of circumstances. Each episode casts a spotlight on these spirited children, showing their tales of survival, bravery, and determination, their nurturing nature, and their ability to adapt to harrowing circumstances with courage. In doing so, it forces us, the audience, to confront the societal issues that have led to their predicaments.

The series is notable for its distinct voice, both in terms of its storytelling approach and its compelling narratives. The documentary format is a powerful tool in delivering the compelling and sometimes heartbreaking stories of these children. It allows the viewer to develop an intimate connection with the subjects, making the narrative more poignant and the audience experience more engaging.

The key feature of Through Our Eyes is the way it showcases these children as the heroes of their own stories rather than portraying them as victims. They are shown as resilient, with a strength that outpaces their age, and the ability to heal, grow, and triumph despite the odds. This lends a level of authenticity to the series that is hard to achieve in traditional documentary filmmaking.

The children highlighted in Through Our Eyes are between the ages of 7 and 13. Despite their young age, they show a profound understanding of the tough circumstances they face. Simultaneously, the series remains a testament to their innocence and charm. The lens used in this series peels back layers to reveal moments of brightness amongst the shadows, beautifully juxtaposing harsh reality against child-like resilience.

Having premiered on HBO Max in 2021, this series comes from the creators of Sesame Workshop – the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. Through Our Eyes is a clear divergence from their traditional children’s programming, targeting a more mature audience with this harrowing exploration of socio-economic issues.

In conclusion, Through Our Eyes is a unique and intensely moving documentary series that tackles complex, weighty, and often overlooked societal issues through a child’s perspective. The series manages to be as compassionate as it is confrontational, compelling as it is heartrending, striking a balance of showcasing harsh realities while still preserving the inherent innocence, resilience, and hope of childhood. This series provides a critical lens for understanding the systemic issues at play in these children's lives and opens a much-needed conversation around these themes. Through Our Eyes is a must-watch that offers viewers an intensely personal journey through the eyes of America's youngest citizens – the children facing some of society's toughest battles.