American Teen 2008

Documenting the intricate lives of four teenagers—a jock, the popular girl, the artsy girl, and the geek—the film unfolds in a small Indiana town as they navigate their senior year of high school. We witness the insecurities, cliques, jealousies, first loves, and heartbreaks, alongside the daunting task of making significant decisions about their futures. Over the course of ten months, filmmaker Nanette Burstein immerses herself in the daily lives of her subjects, yielding a film that transcends typical high school stereotypes to portray multifaceted young individuals seeking their paths to adulthood.

Among these teens is Hannah Bailey, an intelligent and striking misfit in her conservative high school. A liberal atheist in a traditional Christian community, she harbors dreams of moving to California post-graduation. Colin Clemens, the star of the high school basketball team—where basketball reigns supreme in Indiana—feels tremendous pressure as he strives to make his town, school, and father proud, all while aiming for a coveted college scholarship.

Then there’s Jake Tusing, a self-identified nerd. Despite his humorous and charming demeanor one-on-one, he grapples with crippling shyness in group situations. This senior year, he resolves that nothing will hinder his quest to find a girlfriend. Meanwhile, Megan Krizmanich, the Vice President of the student council and daughter of a renowned local surgeon, waits anxiously for news from Notre Dame University. Although affluent, attractive, intelligent, and popular, she wields significant power at her school—but not without consequences. When her authority comes under challenge from her peers, she feels compelled to take action, fully aware of the potential risks to her future.

Additionally, we meet Mitch Reinholdt, the charismatic varsity basketball jock with a softer side. As he risks his social standing by opting for dates with the artsy Hannah Bailey instead of his popular friends, he experiences the strains of maintaining his reputation while unearthing new dimensions of himself. This documentary captures not just the trials of adolescence but the journey toward self-discovery amid the turbulent yet formative years of high school.