Devil's Playground (VHS, 2003)

This documentary is worth your time, especially if you're like me and live close or work around the Amish on a daily basis.

The first thing that caught my eye about this film is the fact that most of it was filmed just south of my city. We have a lot of the Amish culture living around the outside of my city, and especially south of me, in northern Indiana where this film was recorded. It was eye-opening to see the things that are happening to the Amish youth so close to home.

This film explains about the Amish way of life, and the tradition the youth go through as they enter young-adulthood called "Rumspringa". This tradition lets them experience life as a the "English" (Americans like you and I) live. They are allowed to break out of their typical clothes and rules to wear what they like, drive cars, have electronics, stay out late, and experiment as they please. What's the catch? After Rumspringa is over, they must decide to give up the English way completely, succumbing to the Amish way 100% for the rest of their lives, OR they may convert to English, but in doing so they will be forever shunned by their families and community.

The movie is focused on this time of their lives, and what it also shows is the undesireable aspects of Rumspringa, such as the Amish teens experimenting with sex, drugs, alcohol, and wild parties, getting addicted to drugs, and facing the stress of making the enormous choice that will effect the rest of their lives.

Truly a very educational film that will also spark compassion with the Amish way of life and alleviate a bit of the mystery and common misconceptions that Americans have.