26th April 2002
Watched an Iranian film today organized by the Film Festival
called Delbaran and it was a crafted poetry in motion. Strangely, it left me
feeling hollow compared to a life the character, Kaim, lived. I questioned my
existence here and how thankful I should be feeling compared to those from third
world countries. He lived his life helping those he could, pure and simple.
He did no evil and continued with harsh realities though he was left with no
one in a strange country he journeyed to. His mother was killed in Afghanistan
by a bomb and his father was fighting a war against the Teleban. His sister
lived with his grandmother there and he escaped to Iran to work. Saving the
money he could from working at a truck stop where he served drinks to drivers
and did endless errands, he faithfully sent money back to his sister in Afghanistan.
I do not understand why I am so deeply affected by the film. It is disturbing
yet strangely familiar though I have never tasted harsh realities of war. I
cried at the screening. To see how he continued working make me regret and shameful
of my existence here on earth. How can I reach out to such a beautiful character?
How can I touch a saintly character?
Could I ever gain an opportunity to? He was an angel walking among us, common
unsatisfied beasts.
I watched a film earlier, oh boy
About a boy who was left behind
Amidst an on-going war
He strived with faith and blind hope
I saw a film today, oh boy
And a tear crept down my cheek
Among the crowded theatre, there she wept
About a boy who was left behind
She watched a film a while ago, oh boy
And there she sat with stunned admiration
For a character whom had no seeds left to sow
And yet he live his life to give
She saw a film today, oh boy
About a boy, pure and simple
And though he had none to give
He gave his all to live
Film: Delbaran
Director: Abalfazi Jalili
The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 54th Locarno International Film Festival.
Fourteen-year old Kaim is an Afghan refugee who has found work helping out at
Khan's Place, a truck stop close to the Iranian border. They boy runs endless
errands, most of which involve a succession of vehicles, which seem to break
down or run out of fuel on a regular basis - Sandra Hebron
Regus London Film Festival