The 12-Year Journey of Four Actors Playing a Family

Richard Linklater, known for films like *Before Sunrise*, presents *Boyhood*, a film capturing a boy's growth, struggles, and the evolution of his family over 12 years. The film is set to be released in Japan.

Ellar Coltrane, with his striking green eyes, was chosen to play the protagonist, Mason. He portrays the boy's transformation from an innocent child into a spirited young man with remarkable authenticity.


Patricia Arquette as Mason's mother, Ethan Hawke as his father, and Lorelei Linklater, the director's daughter, as his older sister, also committed to their roles for 12 years, playing crucial parts in elevating young Mason's journey into a captivating, dramatic narrative.

The film also incorporates significant American historical events, such as the Iraq War and the election of President Obama, alongside pop culture references like video games and the *Harry Potter* series. Linklater's direction masterfully weaves the passage of time into the story, grounding it in everyday life.

From Boy to Young Man: Growing Up Amidst Shifting Surroundings

Mason, a six-year-old boy living in Texas, moves to Houston with his mother, who is pursuing higher education. There, he navigates his sensitive adolescent years. From reuniting with his father who returns from Alaska, to his mother's remarriage, his stepfather's abuse, and his first love, Mason experiences childhood while sometimes enduring and sometimes adapting to the changing circumstances around him.

His mother eventually becomes a university lecturer, and her new boyfriend joins the family as they relocate near Austin. Meanwhile, his father, having abandoned his musical aspirations, takes a job at an insurance company, remarries, and has another child.

As 12 years bring about various changes, Mason experiences the taste of beer, the thrill of a first kiss, and the bitter sting of heartbreak. He discovers his passion for art photography and eventually leaves his mother's home.

Linklater delicately portrays the internal conflicts and sorrows of a boy by capturing subtle moments of everyday life at home and school. This grand epic, born from the genuine passage of 12 years in the making, is a testament to the director's dedication.



Boyhood
Opening November 14th (Friday)
Director & Screenplay: Richard Linklater
Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, Ethan Hawke
Distribution: Toho Towa
2014 / USA / 165 min / PG12 / Original Title: Boyhood
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