School is rough. It’s full of hormones, uncertainty, bullying, and learning maths that you’ll definitely never need again. But what gets everyone through is friendship. 2k5 is a love letter to the mid-00s. School days, sharing wired headphones, hanging around the park, and most importantly, female friendship.
Directed by Nicole Pott, it follows 13-year-old Ellie (Zoe Peterson) as she navigates her school life away from her best friend Zoe (Eden Brennan) in the run up to a school talent show. The film opens with an impressive aerial shot to the backing of ‘Dy-Na-Mi-Tee’ by Ms. Dynamite, as we zoom into a rap battle happening in a park playground. Sure, the raps aren’t Grammy-worthy, and end with Ellie calling Zoe’s shoes “dogshit”. But there is playfulness and creativity oozing out of these young girls as they casually diss each other’s appearances.
Yet, the standout here is the bond between Ellie and Zoe, rooted in their shared love of music. During the opening rap battle we don’t know they are best friends. But as Ellie walks home, Zoe catches up to her, both buzzing about how fun the rap battle was and that Ellie’s crush Will (Jake Hornsey) was watching on.
They are just two teenagers, having fun and sharing their love of rap and R&B. It’s Zoe’s idea for Ellie to rap rather than sing at the talent show. But Ellie’s fear of being othered and even excluded makes her doubt whether it’s worth pursuing something she is actually passionate about. Zoe pushes regardless, giving Ellie the seed of support amongst her self-doubt and fear that she needs. The repeated calls of “love you” between them as they part ways is heart-warming. A reminder that female friendship is truly unlike anything else.
But 2k5 does not shy away from the brutal realities of teenhood. Specifically, it tackles racism, bullying, loneliness, body shaming, and the general cruelty that can only be dealt out by a teenager. It is as much tinted in mid-00s nostalgia as it is in the harsh realities of being a teen girl. Especially if they are not tall, skinny, blonde, or white. Yet, it shows the power of being truthful to who you are. Refusing to conform to the status quo and using passion to fuel your defiance.
Maybe Ellie will become a famous rapper or musician, or maybe she won’t. The point is that she has a friend, a teacher, and her dad, who all believe that she can achieve her dream if she wants to. And who prove the hurdles of strait-laced adults and boring basic bullies can be overcome. With her support network, her belief in herself, and the power of Ms. Dynamite, Ellie can do anything.
2k5 is a loving but bittersweet return to 2005 that will have you digging out your mp3 player, remembering the teacher who believed in you, and texting your childhood bestie just to say “love you”. 2k5 is in the Showcase Selection (Shorts) was part of the 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival and was available to watch as part of the festival this September.