Instagram is where I was first exposed to Ayan and Kayan‘s music. Even though I don’t know Arabic, the twin brothers from Lebanon left a positive impression on me with their lovely, resonant vocals.

Since discovering the brothers’ official YouTube channel, I’ve learned they have amassed quite an online fan base thanks to their remarkable vocal abilities. They have covered songs such as Ma 2dert and released their original song, Nafseya Taabana. People worldwide, including Bulgaria, Spain, the United States, Russia, and Japan, have admired the soulful voices of the two brothers.

Lebanon has a rich history of outstanding music; its artists and intellectuals are well admired. From Arabic to disco to techno, the country has it all. Because of this, I wasn’t surprised to find out that the words to Ayan and Kayan’s songs are laden with meaning.

Their YouTube videos demonstrate a remarkable vocal range and an expressive singing style, demonstrating once again that beautiful music knows no boundaries. If the song comes from the heart, it will sound beautiful, regardless of language.

Due to the limited amount of information available in English, conducting research on Lebanese twins can be challenging. Because of this, I am overjoyed that they can use this piece as another pillar for their subsequent professional careers.

Ayan and Kayan are two young musicians who have already made a big splash in their field. They have a promising future because of their skill, commitment, and enthusiasm. They will continue winning over fans worldwide with their innovative fusion of old and new sounds.

https://www.tiktok.com/@abdulemir1/video/7197812878693502213?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
PS: Please get in touch with us if you can speak Arabic and/or have further information about the lads that we can include in this introductory piece.

When the economy collapses, Luke (Aaron McCormick) and his younger brother Scott (Kale McCormick) must flee home and travel 1,200 miles to Uncle Ralph’s Arizona ranch.

Along the way, they experience the world’s harshness and rely on their resourcefulness and strength to survive.

That is the Coming-of-Age film Collapse, written, directed, and produced by Dave McCormick.

As he cast his sons in lead roles, it was something of a family project, even if it failed to compare with more sophisticated films about a similar subject matter.

Judging by how easily one can pick out the transition from one scene to the next, there is a great need for improved editing. This may result from a limited budget, but it plays a massive role in determining how one feels about the story. A better transition between scenes would make the story flow more smoothly, making it more enjoyable and easier to follow. 

In the case of Collapse, that is unfortunately not the case as it adheres to all the stereotypes of the post-apocalyptic genre, from settings to the small group of survivors, limited resources, and dangerous environments to moral dilemmas. As the story is told from the point of view of young boys, there is a solid Coming-of-Age motif. Still, one does not truly get to engage or care about the story’s characters on a personal level. 

The actors are enthusiastic, but their lack of experience or the lack of competent directing is painfully apparent. A film’s status as an independent production won’t justify such a judgment because there are many independent films with excellent acting performances. Despite the film’s inferior quality, one must appreciate the lead actors’ charm and the effort they put into it.

Collapse Trailer 

In this instance, I would refrain from recommending the film. If you are not a self-taught critic like myself and need to watch the film so you can write about it, save yourself 90 minutes and watch something else instead.

Collapse (2013)

In short

When the economy collapses, two young boys must flee home and travel 1,200 miles to their uncle's Arizona ranch.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

1.4

Our rating

More about the film

IMDB

Hugo Chetela‘s short film Rewind features an engaging and original storyline with a heartwarming and nostalgic feel. A Canadian production filmed in French, the film follows the journey of a young boy who finds himself stumbling upon his grandfather’s old Walkman and discovers that it can alter time. The past and present collide in unexpected ways.

This eight-minute film uses a mix of musical scores blended with sound effects and skillful editing to convey an emotive intergenerational Coming-of-Age narrative  against an emotional background, delivering a clear message in its eight minutes of screen time. In other words, it is a film that affects the audience’s memory, emotions, and imagination and is still capable of being interpreted in various ways. In the narrative, a simple yet profound message is imbued with power: a person’s happiness is never far away. It is not beyond the ocean but is reflected in their family and friends through the eyes they hold dear to their hearts.

Watch the full film below : 

Written and directed by David Colombo-Léotard, Silent Anger (Original title: Les Poings serrés) is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of a young boy’s experience with abandonment.

In the film, Théo Van de Voorde delivers a stunning performance as Julian, a 12-year-old boy who becomes separated from his father in a busy supermarket. His efforts to find him are in vain. Then Julian makes a decision and tries to carry on with his daily life as usual, while maintaining a façade of normalcy. However, an unmistakable sense of fear and vulnerability is visible beneath his calm exterior.

The film does an excellent job of conveying the boy’s emotional turmoil through subtle facial expressions and body language. As the days pass, the boy’s isolation and loneliness become increasingly palpable. He tries to fill the void by exploiting his newfound freedom, but a sense of danger lurks in the background.

In Silent Anger, the camerawork and framing convey Julian’s stress and vulnerability. Tracking shots, close-ups, and selective focus convey Julian’s perspective and immerse the viewer in his world. The use of slow motion in some of the scenes is also very effective.

One has to pay close attention to the action on the screen to understand the motivation behind Julian’s actions and, even then, no easy answers are provided. This open-endedness allows for various interpretations and adds more complexity to the story.

Although identifying with Julian may be difficult, the viewer can sympathize with his unfortunate fate because of Théo Van de Voorde’s outstanding performance and appealing features. A powerful but ambiguous climax makes Silent Anger a powerful Coming-of-Age story. I highly recommend it.

Silent Anger(2015)

In short

Silent Anger is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of a young boy's experience with abandonment.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating5 Votes

4.8

Our rating

Young performers often bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the stage, and their skills are often impressive. This can be intimidating for more seasoned performers who have been in the business for a while and may not be used to this level of enthusiasm and skill. Such is the case with Michael Cash Savio.

Having made his Broadway debut at the tender age of eleven in The Music Man, one of the greatest treasures of American musical theater, this dancer has a wealth of talent.

Showcasing talented dancers is like shining a spotlight on a hidden gem, revealing their beauty and showing off the rare gift they have to offer the world.

A reminder that at TheSkyKid.com, we cover Billy Elliot the Musical extensively, including all the performers on the global stage. Showcasing talented dancers is just one of the things we do.

A native of Florida, Michel Cash has competed and won national titles at the Dance Awards and at Radix. As was mentioned earlier, his most recent project was his Broadway debut, appearing in the revival of the musical The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman. And speaking of Billy Elliot The Musical, The Music Man also featured the dancing talents of three former Billys as well.

Through his movements, Michael can interpret music beautifully. Practicing gymnastics and dance, his Instagram and YouTube clips are full of contagious positivity and energy. He’s another young male dancer helping to breakdown stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of male dancers. And Michael does it all with a smile and a positive attitude. He’s truly a role model for everyone, especially when it comes to knowing how to bust a move!

Another young dancer you may want to check out is JT Church, and you can find an article about him over at Rivenmaster.com

Charged with repressed tension and emotions, the 2017 short film Janek/Bastard features a powerful narrative that stays in the viewers’ minds long after the final credits have rolled. 

The story, told in a flashback by the main protagonist recalling his childhood days in 1942 Poland, provides a poignant window into the harrowing experiences of children living in a time of extreme turmoil and oppression. 

A sense of tension gradually builds throughout the film as viewers observe the uneasiness that surrounds the daily life of the family, which has accepted a shy, introverted boy as an extra member. His presence awakens the jealousy of the lead character Krzysztof (portrayed by Jesse Willhite).  Close-up shots of his face allow us to understand his emotions and serve as an effective plot device to highlight the story’s intensity.

Poignantly and in an original manner, the film’s director, Muriel Naim, captures the innocence and vulnerability of children in a way that won’t leave anyone indifferent. The aesthetics of the picture bring beauty and naturalistic realism to the story. That is a result of a well-told and well-shot short – as the film is characterized by first-class cinematography, evident from the scenes’ exceptionally well done and very competent lighting.  

According to Muriel Naim, her film: “questions the human morals and one’s fear and explores the darkest corners of a boy’s soul.” (1)

Other similarly themed short films are Jochen Alexander Freydank‘s Toyland and Keegan Wilcox‘s Porcelain Unicorn.

1. Official site of Janek/Bastard (2017)

Janek/Bastard (2017)

In short

The short film, Janek/Bastard, provides a poignant window into the harrowing experiences of children living in a time of extreme turmoil and oppression. 

5

Our rating

A melancholic drama with horror and Coming-of-Age motifs intertwined – that’s the best way to describe Michael Williams‘s 2017 film The Atoning.

The story is intriguing and genuinely captures one’s attention, but that will only happen if one is patient enough to struggle through the first thirty or so minutes during which the action drags, the acting feels subpar and the whole atmosphere feels somewhat sterile and unreal. 

I’ll be the first to admit that I was bored throughout most of the movie and was contemplating bashing it in my review, saying that sometimes an intriguing cover art can mislead the viewers — when the story took a turn for the better. The film, while echoing influences of other flicks (such as the one with Haley Joel Osment in the lead role), became engaging and intriguing, which is why I’d like to encourage any potential viewers to give the story a chance to develop (not easy yet a rewarding task).

The Coming-of-Age aspect of the movie is due to the fact that the only character that the audience seems to develop genuine care for and concern about is the one portrayed by Cannon Bosarge, who plays a young boy of ten years old who is trying to figure out why his parents have started acting in an unusually weird way.  Even if there are times when the story can’t focus on just one main character, the magnetic presence that Cannon brings to the screen is what has the potential to save the plot from its sluggish pace.

The Atoning Official Trailer

Jump scares, whispers, creaking doors (a ridiculous amount), and spooky visuals occasionally introduce the horror to the story – but it never fully transforms the film into an effective horror flick, which is fine as long as it remains an intriguing drama with spiritual messaging of buried secrets and the confrontation of coming to terms with the harsh realities of life.

The Atoning (2017)

In short

The Atoning is a melancholic drama with horror and Coming-of-Age motifs intertwined.

Character/Acting

Score/Soundtrack

Cinematography

Storyline/Screenplay

Production

Direction

Reader Rating0 Votes

3.6

Our rating

More about the film

IMDB