Watching it was worth the time— this single sentence summarises the whole review that is coming up, but it reminds me of another Indian TV series, Crime Patrol. Well, the similarities do not lie in the thematic essence, nor do in the characterisation. The funny(sad too) part that connects both of them is the constant running of young boy Zana throughout the entire story. If you have watched even a single episode of Crime Patrol, you will see the host constantly walking, and there is a meme that says the host walks more than 5 miles per episode :)
But for the homeless and orphaned brothers, especially the younger Zana, his running seems to be a failed attempt to escape the harsh reality of the contemporary Kurdish society under the regime of Saddam Hussain in Iraq.
The opening scene starts with the defeat of the parentless children in a football match. I feel like the director has confirmed to the audience the density of two brothers, which is predetermined to fail against the cruelty and heartlessness of a society that cannot rehabilitate those pure souls. Dana’s failed attempt to score a goal that he was cheated on, and later Zana’s initial resistance as a goalkeeper but failure to continue so clearly speaks about the overall setting where people still have the potential to be successful in their life, but the selfish act of the surroundings prevent them from achieving the goal. And I witnessed the exact theme reigning the whole plot.
Talking about the cinematography, it’s serene— although the bustling community gives an impression of a slum, the desolate highways just filled my eyes. I like deserts, not the dunes but a little life hidden under the scattered greenery attachments never fails to delight me. From that perspective, I’d love it more if the boys’ journey to America had a little longer span, just to enjoy the desolation out there. The uncertainty on the roads, the military blockades, checkpoints, and their struggle to move from one place to another is amusing. It’s quite heartbreaking too, especially when Zana was trying to escape the soldiers under the tobacco truck. While the unexpected separation of the two brothers during the coke stealing scene raises the tension of the audience, their reunion brings the joy back and strengthens the bond between the brothers even further; at the same time, it makes the movie more intriguing. Probably the lesson of their temporary guardian, Baba Shalid, influenced their bonding.
Even though I didn’t feel sheer joy watching the movie, the unconditional love of two brothers and the fatherly figure of older Dana has redefined the bondings sealed by blood relationships. Throughout the movie, the way Dana protects his brother is priceless. Although his teenage feelings sometimes drive him away from responsibilities, he never fails to get back to the line in due time. And the Zana character itself is worth thousands of applauses.
However, the other characters failed to appear as lively as the two brothers, especially the strangers they met on their way to America and other characters who appeared for a short time. But the central characters filled their gaps through the innocence they exhibit, the maturity of acting they present, and most importantly, the love they share as brothers. Truly a good film to enjoy with family and friends.
