Too Young — A Matter of Innocence 1967 | Shashi Kapoor | Hayley Mills

A Matter of Innocence (Pretty Polly, 1967) is a coming of age British/Hollywood film that touches upon the trials and tribulations a girl faces when blossoming into a woman. But what’s more is how and when that transition is first initiated, and why. What subliminal motivations are at play? And how is a girl’s innocence forsaken too early in exchange for an adulthood defined by her associations with older men and their given expectations? While much can be said for the socio-cultural dynamics of this film given the time of its release, most of its ethical questions are just as relevant today as they were 53 years ago. Also, it is perhaps one of the very few old English films I’ve seen which portrays an interracial relationship in a positive light.

Throughout this video, I especially wanted to emphasize the commentary surrounding this affair — statements that are all held by characters on an individual basis (as in real life), rather than stereotyped in a homogenized fashion solely based on race/nationality. In that regard, Amazuddin (Shashi Kapoor) is showcased on multiple occasions onscreen that he is virtuous in character and intent, especially towards Polly Barlow (Hayley Mills), despite that “Oriental moral values are very different than those of Wimbledon” (although the age gap between the two remains ambiguous, there are quite clear distinctions in maturity). I found this especially refreshing given Hollywood’s expansive history of viewing and portraying Asians through a stereotypical and ostracizing lens. Also, here we see that the traditional white American man, Mr. Preston, deviates from the picture perfect gentleman that Hollywood would have otherwise prioritized for Polly’s romantic interest. To some, “no” simply means “try harder.” Also, the intrusive questions posed by Polly’s uncle (Trevor Howard) are also an unfortunate reality that many women continue to be shamed for and humiliated by. How can a young, impressionable girl gratify the desires of the world while also maintaining her “purity”?

In many ways, this film has great parallels to my own life in regards to how society over-concerns itself with a woman’s naivety and personal affairs, especially if that involves an “unconventional” choice of partner given her own cultural background. Upon rewatching this last week, I was astonished by how many of these encounters I could draw from my own experience in comparison to my initial viewing just a couple short years ago. Like Polly Barlow, I was just “all teeth and glasses,” eager to see the world, without a care as to how harsh or kind it may treat me.

SONGS:
“Too Young” — Rose Iwanaga and The Avengers
“Shanty” (1964) — The Quests
Both songs in this video are from bands based in 1960’s Singapore, as like the film.
FILM: A Matter of Innocence (Pretty Polly) — 1967, Universal Pictures

Also, apologies for the resolution quality. Due to the unpopularity of the film, there has not been an official home video release or digital copy other than what I could salvage from fuzzy online archives.
TRANSFORMATIVE WORK: As with much of my work on this channel, I try to combine distant aesthetic elements together to see what new atmospheres I can create.

In NO shape or form do I claim ownership of this film content, nor do I redistribute any of its content for profit. Through this video, I am simply admiring and learning the craft of EDITING. All credits, rights, and copyrights go to the owners respectfully. This video is meant for nothing other than to express my appreciation for this film. I also do not wish to use the heart of any piece of work that would perhaps decrease the market value of the original content – if anything, I hope to promote the content so that people can reach out and subsequently increase the market value. Please reach out to this film and the artists of these songs.

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

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