Top 10 Child Performances – The 00’s

Article by Zach Saltz

Posted - 1/1/10

Go to Top 10 Child Performances

The vast majority of the great child performances of this decade belong to roles in foreign or independent films, for the most part.  Perhaps as audiences, we’ve grown tired of the oversaturated screams of the cute blond-headed child in distress or the saccharine smiles of an Abigail Breslin or Dakota Fanning.  These performances are real, self-contained, and masterful – made all the more remarkable by the fact that most of these performers were acting in their debut films.  While most have gone unrecognized, a few received their due praise – Keisha Castle-Hughes received an Oscar nomination, and 14-year-old Yûya Yagira won best actor at Cannes. Their performances extend beyond traditional definition, and therefore have been limited to three words describing their power. 

*Note: Lea Kurka and Karoline Eckertz played the same character in Nowhere in Africa, one was about four years older than the other.

10. Giuseppe Cristiano, I’m Not Scared (2004). Trapped. Suspicious. Alone.

9. Ivana Baquero, Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Daring. Sublime. Tortured.

8. Harry Eden, Pure (2002). Unsuspecting. Selfless. On the run.

7. Morgan Marinne, The Son (2003). Guilty. Watched. Regretful.

6. Conor Holden, 12 and Holding (2005). Grieving. Sympathetic. Challenged.

5. Lea Kurka/Karoline Eckertz, Nowhere in Africa (2003)*. Unnerved. Boundless. Remarkable.

4. Donald Holden, George Washington (2000). Aimless. Anxious. Sly.

3. Yûya Yagira, Nobody Knows (2005). Mature. Demanding. Heart-breaking.

2. Avaz Latif, Turtles Can Fly (2005). Stunning. Horrific. Tragic.

1. Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider (2003). Luminous. Compelling. Unforgettable.