Kid 90 the new documentary by Soleil Moon Frye streams on HULU starting March 12th. Name sound familiar? That’s right 80’s kids Soleil Moon Frye who you loved as the girl next door Punky Brewster is back and reflecting on her own coming of age years.

The MOMS Network invited me to preview the film and chat with Soleil during a virtual Mamarrazi event. I watched the film like any other but the process of experiencing Soleil unearth real, raw and sometimes forgotten memories has me all kinds of nostalgic.

**Before you read on note that there are no spoilers here. Watch the film because it is that good and note that this is not a movie for your children.  The film will break your heart as you see Soleil open her heart and discuss some very intense topics, among them the premature deaths of many childhood friends. She holds nothing back and draws us in with her open heart.

Kid 90 Synopsis From HULU:

As a teenager in the ’90s, Soleil Moon Frye carried a video camera everywhere she went. She documented hundreds of hours of footage and then locked it away for over 20 years. After all this time, kid 90 unlocks the vault and presents a true time capsule of a group of friends growing up in Hollywood and New York City in the ’90s, balancing childhood and fame pre-internet and social media explosion. It is a deeply personal coming-of-age story that explores how “sometimes we need to look back to find our way forward.” Soleil is joined by lifelong friends and fellow child stars who provide commentary on growing up in the ’90s; including David Arquette, Stephen Dorff, Balthazar Getty, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Brian Austin Green, Tori Leonard, Heather McComb and more.

Kid 90 Trailer:

Soleil Moon Frye Mamarazzi Event:

Soleil Moon Frye was gracious to share her experiences with a group of us Moms over zoom.  Her idea of reaching back into time through this project was born because she feels that looking back will bring her forward. Soleil brought warmth and an open and honest heart to the event. She is a Mom doing her thing and trying to make sense of the crazy world we all live in.  Soleil spoke with us, not at us because she is all of us she just happened to grow up famous.

Long before social media, Soleil was capturing her experience growing up in Hollywood. Using stored away video footage, voice messages and diary entries she goes on a quest to find out if her past is actually how she remembers it.  The documentary is a fascinating look at the complexity of growing up in the limelight and the pressures that come along with it. I was impressed with her desire to go back and face her teenage self.  It takes a strong woman to go back and find the girl within.

I have endless photo albums full of my own memories. I never went to an event without my camera by my side but to see a life captured so comprehensively on video is fascinating. It has me obsessively thinking about our children. Today’s kids will grow up with much of their lives documented on social media.  The question is will instant memories enrich or enhance their lives?  What is a memory if you don’t have to search your heart to find it?

Watch The Mammarazzi Event:

https://youtu.be/tRdIWnPXI6c

About Kid 90: