Les Tortues volent aussi

Not only can turtles fly, but everyone who activates an anti-personnel or anti-tank mine can do it - and there are countless of them appearing in Ghobadi's film. A thematically immensely powerful film about the plight of war orphans in a remote part of Kurdistan, who make a living by collecting and neutralizing ammunition and minefields around local villages. The camera unabashedly shows the missing limbs of child amputees, and captures emotions from the faces of child actors, truly excelling in this aspect. On the other hand, I have some issues with the pace of storytelling, the director's filmmaking approach, and the flat script, just like with the acting of most participants. Yes, this film was not created easily, but I would only give it a fourth star out of obligation. Overall impression: 65%. The most valuable aspect is the cinematography, which captures the post-war turmoil in a crisis-stricken country. (30/08/2009)

My view of the situation hasn't changed, just gotten a little richer. The rawness of the imagery was evocative and some of the scenes (the drowning of the child, the mine – I was scared as a little bitch) were truly unique, but any film that tells the story of stranded little bastards will never have much hope of success with me. A solid 3 stars. (24/07/2008)