Wednesday 22 June
10am, 2:30pm, 5pm, 7:30pm
Director Granaz Moussavi
Drama
Afghan/Australia
80 minutes
Based on real events, the film tells the story of Hewd, a nine year old boy who lives on the streets in Kabul. Following the loss of both his father and brother he decides to create a business by working as a cart pusher to support his family.
He is an irrepressible kid hustling everything from pomegranate juice to protection from the evil eye. His real ambition is to be a movie star, and this comes a step closer when he meets an Australian photographer. But in a city where it is easy to be “martyred,” the streets are as perilous as they are vivid.
The film was partly funded through Adelaide Film Festival which became its premier place and was selected as the Australian entry for the Best International Film at the 94th Academy Awards.
The story, which is based on true events that Moussavi heard about as an interpreter working in Australian immigration detention, while enlightening and fresh, is also completely heartbreaking, with that stunning conclusion leaving a sold-out cinema humbled, and completely silent. – Travis Akbar, Metro Magazine
The non-professional actor’s quick grin and darting onscreen energy are the animating forces of Iranian-Australian filmmaker Granaz Moussavi’s conventional but effective heart-tugger. – Guy Lodge, Variety