Three young orphan girls sneak away from their foster mother to visit the beach. When they are suddenly swept out to sea they find themselves on an unexpected adventure.
The Island of Lost Girls is a children's adventure film, starring three young girls, Autumn, Avila and Scarlett Schmidt. It was filmed on location in the sea caves of Baja, Mexico, with the young actors performing their own stunts, including swimming through underwater caves surrounded by sea lions.
The festival suggested that this movie is suitable for ages 8 and up, and recommended parental guidance because "some frightening scenes may not be suitable for sensitive viewers". I must be a sensitive viewer then, because parts of this movie scared me more than any of the horror films I've seen lately. As a parent living in beach-worshipping Queensland, the scene where four-year-old Scarlett wades into the surf alone, with huge waves crashing over her, had my heart in my mouth. I had to remind myself repeatedly that the film was fictional and that the girls were fine. In fact their parents were present during filming, as the directors and writers of this family production.
There is a lot to like about this movie. As well as all the danger and suspense, there are some laughs too, and an awesome treehouse that will be the envy of any child or young-at-heart adult. There is also beautiful scenery and majestic, sometimes terrifying, elephant seals.
The Island of Lost Girls is an exciting adventure movie for children, although I agree that it might be too scary for some viewers. It will be screening as part of the Children's International Film Festival at Lido Cinemas, Hawthorn as well as several other locations. The festival will be screening new children's films from around the world from May 27 to June 12. You can see the full program here.
