Story
Ten year old Khaled lives with his mum in the outskirts of Toronto. His mum is seriously ill and way behind with paying the rent. Her social worker suggests for Khaled to go into foster care until things have straightened out. Then, one night, she suddenly dies. What to do? Khaled decides to do like his mum always tells him to do: “I keep to myself, don’t talk to anyone, don’t get mixed up, go to school.” And decides not to tell anyone.

The first days everything goes well. But then the building manager comes for the rent. And their social worker tries to get in touch in order to discuss foster care. And the smell of the dead body gets worse and worse. ‘I got to be more careful. Keep everything really clean’, Khaled summons himself. Finally he cannot keep up to the outside world and locks himself in the house but the situation is only getting worse.

There are still a few people Khaled can trust and rely on. A blind woman who lives in the apartment below and Ivan, a Russian boy he knows from school. Ivan tries to bring him some food but gets caught and beaten up by the building manager. It is the moment that Khaled for the first time lets go of his emotions and makes a new decision…

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Comments
A very impressing low budget movie. Good acting by Michael D’Ascenzo. The movie was filmed very down to earth with no extras. The only music that can be heard comes from a tape Khaled finds in his mum’s belongings together with letters and  a picture of his father. Arabian music.

The movie gives a good insight in how a young boy thinks and makes his decisions. And tries to keep his world as simple as possible. The fact that he didn’t show his emotions at all was very striking. But in the end he turns out to be who he really is: just a kid who needs friends, affection and care.

DVD R1
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‘soles’ :cwm39:

Looks like I'll have to see this one. Nothing breaks my heart like a boy with tears.