David & Kamal (2011/MVD Visual DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: C Extras: D Film: C
In David & Kamal (2011), David is a 9
year old Jewish boy visiting his father in Jerusalem whom he hasn't seen in years. As they try to live and understand each other,
David is frustrated that his father can spend more time with him, his father is
too busy with work and he doesn't understand why David is obsessed with his
coin collection. Kamal is also a 9 year
old, but an Arab living in the slums of Old Jerusalem, poor and desperate for
money he sells postcards for 3 for a dollar. Each day he has to deal with bullies and a
condescending grandfather.... as the two boys meet, an unlikely friendship
begins to develop.
David,
while visiting his father is looking for old and rare coins for his collection,
is soon targeted by Kamal who decides to steal his coin and ransom it for money,
but they are suddenly thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire when
bullies start to chase them. Desperate
and on the run from thugs and the law they learn of each other lives, how
grateful David should be for what he already has, and why Kamal needs the money
so badly to get out of there and find his father. Unfortunately, life isn't always fair when
the police finally catches up and 'rescues' David,
Kamal is arrested and taken away.
This film
is basically about the prodigal parent, two boys with dysfunctional parents.
When one of the boys steals from the other, what started out as cat and mouse,
they soon become friends as both of them run through the streets of Jerusalem, they come to
understand each other and respect their situations... But in they short time they are together; they
learn their worlds are not so different.
Not bad, but we have seen this before, even if it is not this
political. Now you can see for yourself.
- Ricky Chiang
