My Childhood was the first of three films based on director Bill Douglas’ memories of his own impoverished childhood in the Scottish mining village of Newcraighall. In this cruel environment, the boy learns to take care of himself. We see him grow up from child to adolescent—angry and bewildered but playful and affectionate. The cinematography is beautiful, creating visual poetry from jarring, somber monochrome images.

The film, made just after Douglas graduated from the London Film School, is one of the most compelling and critically acclaimed films about childhood. It was awarded the Silver Lion in Venice.