Innocent voices (2004)

Being a powerful drama based on real events (the film is based on the childhood experiences of its screen writer) – Innocent voices made a direct entry in my all times favorite movie list. The director of the movie did an excellent job – portraying the horrors of the civil war in El Salvador in the 80s through the eyes of a young boy – the eleven – year old Chava.

Both parties in this war recruit young boys ( 12 year old and even younger sometimes ) for their armies or fractions .The government’s armed forces collect the boys from the streets, their school and their homes – separating the young lads from their families and friends . In the harsh reality of the civil war – the “greatest battle of Chava and his friends is to remain kids”. There are some great scenes showing how the child in the streets play games, fall in love and do the things kids do – you even wonder how is that possible since the bullets can strike any moment – and innocence can be lost forever …

The director did a great job – and some of the scenes are sure to stuck to your mind for a long time – the scens in which see the boys from the villages hiding on the roof to avoid being picked up by the soldiers is an example for such scene. There are many subplots and ideas – yes Innocent voices is coming in age movie , but it it also about the love of a mother , the horrors or war , the hopes of a generations for better life.

Yet I have to mention the talent of all actors starring here – despite the fact that for many of them Innocent Voices is their first screen appearance – their acting is outstanding. Here I want to mention and one of my favorite characters – a man who seems to be mentally incapable – but has a great heart and truly makes a difference in the life of many people from the society – helping old women, hanging out with Chava and his friends – and most importantly standing for his friends , being there when he is needed.

Also as you may already know – for me a movie deserves a high mark if it is able to evoke feelings in its viewers. That is probably the reason most of my favorite titles to be in the Drama genre. And Innocent voices makes no exception – I really felt for all Chava was forced to go through…

Great movie pals , not an easy one to watch – but worth seeing !

Entrusted

Entrusted is a great movie made for TV which plot revolves over the eleven years old Thomas von Gall ( played by talented young actor Thomas Sangster ) . Chess master at that tender age and being a very intelligent boy Thomas is trained in survival tactics and entrusted by his mater with the access codes to bank accounts in Switzerland . The money from those account are being used to help people to escape the murders and humiliations of the Nazis .

The Nazis want the money – but there is no way of getting them without knowing the proper authorization codes. After years of chasing Thomas`s mother – they began working with her former teacher – who remembers that she was pregnant when he last saw him and that the only way to get to her will be through her child. One day Thomas gets kidnapped from the Nazis and spend a lot of time with the professor of his mother , who tries to look into the boys mind and soul. Thomas alone, is left to fight the battle that will ensure the safety of thousands of people…

This movie have a brilliant photography and the scenes are really nicely arranged – sometimes even too nicely for the plot – but they make the movie more appealing – with a bit of sacrifice on the reality factor. Still it does remain fine coming and age movie and if you can find it ( I have heard that in Walmart it is available for about $ 5 ) – watch it – you will enjoy it.

This film is also known as Daddy and Im Visier Des Bösen.

The return

The Return ( original name Vozvrashcheniye) is a powerful Russian psycho drama. Its one these movies for which you do not think much while watching – but rather after seeing them. The excellent cinematography is obvious and so is the talent of the actors is quite astonishing.

The plot seems simple at first- two boys meet their father for a first time after 12 years absence .No one knows where he has been . He takes his sons on a trip across the Russian wilderness – during this trip the boys face various challenges – accepting their dad and learning about life are just two of them.

The younger brother – Ivan seems to be a bit rebellious – pushing the boundaries at times. But I can not judge him – no one can unless he had similar destiny in life. A relative of mine went through similar experience when at age 15 he moved to Spain to live with his father who he saw after 10 years – and once he told me – ” How can I stay here – I don`t know him” – meaning his father . Now everything is better as they have used to each other now – but it must be really hard to go trough such an experience.

The actors who played the boys succeeded to convey the turbulent emotions they fell. One of the best descriptions of that I found on a comment made by Roland E. Zwick at IMDB and would like to quote it in this review :

“…It is virtually impossible to put into words just how brilliantly the two young actors use their facial expressions to convey a wealth of meaning and emotion. As portrayed by Vladimir Garin, Andrey looks up to his father with a mixture of boyish pride and trembling awe, longing for the kind of male affirmation he has been deprived of all these years. He is desperate to please his father by proving to him that he can perform the acts of manhood that his dad keeps putting forth for him to do. As Ivan, Ivan Dobronravov spends most of his time glaring at the man, his mouth pursed in a tight unyielding grimace of resentment and hate. If I could give an award for the best performance by a child actor in movie history, these two youngsters would be high on my list of candidates. They are that amazing…”

Тhe return is excellent example for what coming of age movie really is ( or should be ) – growing up its not always easy …

Similarly themed Russian film :

Private Lessons

Private lessons is an excellent and funny film that anyone who remembers his first crushes and emotions would enjoy. Almost too provocative – for an American comedy that is – it seems to be an early version of the American Pie series, but with a unique twist. ( a reverse version of Lolita maybe).

The plot is relatively simple – the fifteen years old Philly is a spoiled and horny rich kid who gets seduced by the housekeeper- a woman in her thirties. There is a blackmail situation, although it does look a bit out of place. The soundtrack was lovely and I think that the acting was good. Especially of the young Philly, his nervous smile is what stuck to my mind after seeing the movie.

It sure brought some memories to me – I must have had the same smile Philly had in the movie or being equally nervous when one of my ex-girlfriends ( not that they are too many) once asked me “Are you sure – this is the first time you are French-kissing with a girl ?” or a bit latter “You better stop , because I start feeling all tingly” – well for one thing I honestly did not know what I was doing or was supposed to do back then. Or when my teammates from the swimming team and I hid behind the bushes or climbed the trees – to get a glimpse of the girl’s locker room – and ended up getting caught by our trainer eventually.

Private lessons brought back a memory of my confused youth life ( not that it is bright and clear now – the life and love in it, that is ). It is an excellent coming-of-age movie, and I enjoyed watching it. Most people between 12 and 30 would enjoy the film – as it would be easy for them to associate the feelings/desires of the main characters with their own.

Jet Boy

An independent and rare Canadian movie – Jet Boy is not easy to find. The film, also known as Moments in some releases, is a well-made drama dealing with serious subjects. The main character is Nathan – a 14-year-old boy who is also a hustler. His role is played by Branden Nadon, who makes a remarkable debut in this movie. The movie is both grim and sad at times. I felt really sorry for Nathan and for all other kids out there hustling on the streets because of the way they are raised.

Early in the film, the viewer discovers that Nathan’s mother is drug-addicted and does not really care about him. The whereabouts of his dad are unknown. Nathan just wants to be loved and to have someone to care for him. In one of the scenes, he says: “I just want to be a good kid” and that shows that if he had a different childhood he would just be the kid next door. But, instead, he has to bring drugs to his mother and do things that no child should do. When his mother dies from a drug overdose, he runs away from the social workers and meets Boon (Dylan Walsh) who seems to be some sort of criminal. He tags along with him to Vancouver and they both learn a lot about themselves and each other.

In addition to the story itself, the movie Jet Boy allows us to enjoy its first-class character development. At first, we know very little about the people we meet. But then, as the story goes on, we learn a lot. Still, room remains for a few surprises…

The movie at IMDB (link) Another provocative coming of age tale – The Little Criminals

NEW : An interview with Jet Boy`s Director exclusive for TheSkyKid.com

Finding Neverland

Before even starting my review I think that it would be fair to let you know that I not only a fan of the movie and book about Peter Pan , but believe to have what it is called Peter Pan Syndrome myself. Now when that is settled I can say that I enjoyed Finding Neverland a lot. For those of you who haven’t heart of the movie it tells the story of the writer of the play Peter Pan J.M.Barrie and the family which inspired him to create his masterpiece . The actors did really god job in recreating this story which is inspired by real events. And then again no wonder – since in the role of J.M Barry is Johnny Depp and Peter is played by the remarkable young actor Freddie Highmore.

It was a pleasure to watch how the writer of Peter Pan spends his time playing with the boys who inspired him to write the play.He has to deal with the disapproval of the society – including the one of his life and the boy`s grand mother played by Radha Mitchell. It amazes me how stereotypes continue to live through the ages – stereotypes which aim to kill the imagination in every boy forcing him to grown up and become a serious respected member of the society – same like the rest grown ups surrounding him. Thankfully there are people who resist to that – those people try and often succeed to preserve the child in them during their whole life. I would like to believe that I am one of them.

There is one moment from the movie in which a friend of J.M Barry told him the following about the opinion of the people for his friendship with the boys :

“People watch you and their will look for ways to drag you down”

Sadly from my own experience I can confirm the validity of this statement. In the same scene the writer answered :

“You found a glamor of happiness in this world and always there is someone to destroy it”

Indeed those two quotes made impressed me with their truthfulness. Sadly I am not yet aware of a way to deal with such situation. If you do not pay attention to such people – neither should they do – but then its like someone can not stand other people happiness.

While watching the movie once over again I thought how truthful is the phrase that every time a child says he or she does not believe in fairies, one more fairy dies. This seems to be the case with a lot of kids these days – they are so well informed , surf the net and all – that the games of Cowboys and Indians are often forgotten replaced with computer games. Just few month ago a friend of mine gave a pack of plastic soldiers to a 10 year`s old boy – and the boy was quite surprised by this present. Why because he is now on MySpace, Facebook , plays Contra Strike and the plastic soldiers can not capture his imagination as they did with mine once.

But back to the movie -drama and comedy at the same time it is suitable for all ages. If you let it – it would touch you heart with the innocence of dreams , true friendship and sincerity .

Wild Tigers I Have Known

Talking about the weird movie – you would hardly be able to find one weirdest than Wild Tigers I Have Known. I just finished watching it and honestly can say that I had a bit of trouble understanding it – and yet at the same time, I feel a bit down because of it. At the same time, I tried to watch it several times – but something always happened – loss of interest or something else. This does not mean that the movie is bad – it’s just a bit freak. Maybe it was the plot – maybe it was the soundtrack…

In one of the scenes, an Afro- American woman sings a really calm song while Logan ( the main character) is relaxing in his bed – the song was so calm and a place that I almost fell to sleep myself. The whole soundtrack as the movie itself is kind of strange.

Logan is a thirteen-year-old boy who attends a Junior High School – he is lonely and feels different. He is by himself a lot and dreams … daydreams so much that his mother accused him of being constantly off in another world in one of the scenes. But he has one friend – another boy who seems to be nerdy and different as well. They go together through all the teenage talks and thoughts. But then one day, Logan meets what seems to be the school rebel – and he develops a crush on him. What follows is a weird mixture of feelings, questions, ignorance, bravery and dreams. Logan embarks on a journey towards his own identity…

No easy answers are provided in that movie -the plot revolves around a coming-of-age story- but there are many unclear things and unspoken ideas that the viewer is forced to think and decide what the film is really about. The movie’s cinematography is excellent – the lighting and colours leave a long-lasting expression and make the scenes really different and unique. There were few moments in which I noticed that the camera was shaking – like it would do in a homemade production and yet another scene in which the operator’s true professionalism can be really seen. Talking about abstract visual art-Wild Tiger I have known is just that.

Mickybo and Me

Brilliant – that word can easily describe the movie Mickybo and Me. I have not noticed a single flaw – the acting was outstanding , the music suitable , the story intriguing…

The movie follows the life and the adventures of Micky Boyle and Johnjo – two boys who both live in Belfast but different neighborhoods separated by a bridge and the religion divide between Catholics and protestants. And yet despite being on the opposite side of the divide they become friends . They sneak into the local cine to see the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which lives a long lasting impression in them. After seeing the movie Mickybo and Jognjo swear an oath to be blood brothers for life and they embark on a journey following the steps of their movie heroes.

Since the Mickybo and Me is an Irish movie – it is no wonder that the actors were speaking with an accent – but after 5 to 10 minutes of watching I used to to it. Mickybo and Me reminded me of two of my favorite movies Dear Frankie and Billy Elliot . Not only because of the accent – the movie is made by the film makers of Billy Elliot and even the mother of Mickybo is played by Julie Walters who played Billi`s ballet teacher. The two lead actors John Joe McNeill and Niall Wright make an outstanding debut in this movie – full of charisma and talent they easily won my sympathy.

There is lot of humor in the movie and because of that Mickybo and Me is very enjoyable to watch. But then it also touches some very serious topics like the Irish conflict , terrorism, the lost of innocence…etc. I also read that it portrait’s the life is the 1970`s Belfast pretty accurately. Overall the movie is great and I highly recommend it.

Mickybo and Me at IMDB ( link)

Acla’s Descent into Floristella

I have heard a lot about this movie – some people said that is was too harsh, others said it was controversial and then there were even some people who said that because of the descriptions available online they wonder if the movie is worth watching at all. Having seen it now – I can say that I found the movie was fine – but not that well acted or controversial as I through it would be.

Acla is coming of age movie about a boy who is sold as a mine worker by his parents. At the tender age of twelve his place is not there – but I know – and so do you that during the industrial revolution children from all over the world were forced to work in unbearable conditions. Acla`s decent into floristella is inspired by true events as the movie succeeds in the attempt to portrait the social climate of south Italy in 1930. In a small Italian village men have no choice – but to spent 5 days a week away from home working and living in the mines to make a living. Acla is to be treated as a man and part of the family only is he obeys the will of his father and work in the mines like him and his older brother.

I was disgust by the way the family of Acla treated their own son. Even his mother mentioned that it would be a disgrace if Acla do not accept the harsh life of a mine worker. After all the family received some money for sending their son to what pretty mush resembled slavery. There are several scenes that allow the viewer to observe the way of thinking of Acla`s mother and relatives – illiterate and poor , not watching to change or may be they just did not have a chance to do that.

The scenes from the Floristella`s mines reveal the horror in which young Acla is forced to live. Constant beatings and harassment’s are part of the daily life in the brutal working environment of the sulfur mines. The live in isolation forced some of the man who work in the mine to ” commit a sin” engaging in sexual activities with each other and even the young boys are not safe there. There are no sexual scenes but many sexual references and prepositions which makes the movie unsuitable for all ages.

This film is a stark, brooding film that uses components of naturalistic and realistic cinematic styles.

“A NEOREALIST VISION OF HELL THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD”
-Variety

http://youtu.be/AOiT9kZJCzk

La Revolte des enfants

Every person has right to be treated as human being – no matter how old or young he is.

La Revolte des enfants is movie about the despair attempt of a group of French boys in a reformatory institution to earn their right of human dignity. One could only guess how horrible were these boys treated – not because the movie succeeds to convey this message – but rather because there are movies with similar themes such as Song for a Ragggy Boy.

2 hours and 7 minutes are a bit too much for the story and I personally did not like the acting a lot. There were some good scenes ( few at the begging and one or two at the end) – but in general the director did a poor job in this movie. The soundtrack of the movie ( piano music ) was a bit annoying at times too.

La Revolte des enfants is watchable movie and will keep you in front of your monitor/screen for a while – and still there are far better movies out there with similar storyline.

The movie in IMDB

Iluzija (2004 )

“Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.”

This is the first movie made in the Republic of Macedonia that I saw (see other my review of Golemata Voda (2004) ). I am still under its influence when I am writing this review, and I can assure you that once you have seen this movie, it will leave a lasting impression on you. Shown first at the Tokyo International Film Festival festival in Tokyo, Mirage is a prime example of quality European cinema.

When the movie started, I paid attention mainly to the surroundings as, for me, the director wanted to show the atmosphere in which Marco lives. But who is Marco? 12-year-old Macedonian boy -full of emotions, talent for writing, and dreams for a better life. The first few scenes reveal little of his personality as the directors show various scenes of Macedonia’s turbulent life. Those scenes seem to prepare the viewer for what he is about to see, explain the characters’ mentality, and set the overall tone of the movie. Even though these scenes are filmed professionally and the viewer is warned at the very begging of the movie that hope can not do any good – the viewer still is not fully prepared for what is about to happen in the course of the movie.

I have noticed that many young actors are now making memorable debuts and seventh-grader Marko Kovacevic is no exception. His character could be a real challenge for many much more experienced actors. Marco’s role is a symbiosis of two distinct words – the world of a young poet – his private world and the life in Macedonia, its social and economic climate seen through the eyes of a sensitive and innocent boy. Sadly this innocence is about to be lost as the story unfolds.

The life of Marco is not an easy one – he gets bullied at school, his father is an alcoholic – his sister is a rebel – his mother seems to have accepted a submissive way of existence, taking care of her family/husband. In one of the scenes, Marco asks his Mom if she could guess who wrote the best homework/story at his school – a typical question for every kid who did a good job and wants to be appreciated by someone, the closest one – the parent- she does not make a single comment or reaction to that question. Marco starts hating his home – the only place he can be alone with himself in an old train wagon in which he spends his time – thinking, dreaming, and playing chess by himself.

The teacher of Marco recognizes his talent and tell him that if he does well on writing a poem about the country he could be sent to a competition in Paris ( the city of life). The words of his teacher really influence Marco and he sees a way to escape from his harsh reality by winning the competition. Soon after Marco is about to find out that hopes and mirages are both dangerous and not always real as the world around him is far from ideal.

It is scary – I was scared by the truth that lies in Marco’s realizations for the world about him and life in general. A number of times there were people who like Marco’s teacher recognized in me one or another virtue and then I have seen that there is a lot of hypocrisy in their words. On a side note – that’s how I find myself in the States a few years ago.

There are several role models which Marco can choose to follow – his teacher is one of them. He proves not worthy later on. But Marco meets Paris – an ex-soldier who is more or less a criminal – living by the laws of the jungle “Eat of be eaten”. One could conclude that life hasn’t been easy for Paris, but his strong character helped him survive. Marco learns a lot from their conversations – but in the end, he is disappointed by him as well. At one moment, Marco thought that he could avoid the beating by joining the bullies – yet another mistake that proves one of the rules I live by – Be what you are!

Betrayed by everyone – Marco decides to act….and then the ending comes.

Mirage is one of the most hash and influential coming-of-age movies I have seen so far. I highly recommend him – however, keep in mind that :

“Mirage” is not, by any stretch, a pleasant film to endure. Its harshness may agitate those who are not used to such a bleak depiction of life.

Temporada de patos /Duck Season

I saw this movie last night. It was one of the weirdest movies I have ever seen – weird in a good way. The story line is simple – two 14 years Flama and Moko are preparing to spend typical Sunday afternoon in an apartment somewhere in Mexico. They are typical teens and as soon as are left alone start playing video games. Those scenes – the scenes on which they play are really fun – I almost wanted to jump and turn my Sony on just because of the way both boys were getting into it. Then as they play the doorbell rings – and it turns out to be their neighbor next door – good looking girl who wants to use their oven. At first the boys are way too busy with their game to pay any attention to the girl.

Naturally they get hungry and order a pizza. The delivery man is quite a character you would see – riding his motorcycle as crazy in the city to get the order in time. But he was late – or may be he was`t but that is what the Flama said in order to avoid paying for the Pizza. What follow is a comic, and tragic and real – all at ones – the delivery man decides to stay untill gets paid , the girl run in some troubles while using the oven – and the Flama and Moko are being typical teens . Now we have four people in the flat and it seems that they will get to know each other better …

The acting in this movie is quite well – and this is despite the fact that most of the cast does not have any previous experience as actors. All scenes are in black and white which created an unique atmosphere . The photography is excellent and shows the immense talent and creativity of the movie director. You may also notice that the movie is full of symbolism – the ducks , the candies which the girl bites trying to guess their color and many more. You just have to read between the lines.

Duck Season is indeed a very realistic movie , full with life lessons – simple and complex at the same time. It would provide enjoyment for all fans of international ,independent and comping of age movies .

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“Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.”