51. Internationales Filmfestival Locarno

A modern tragi-comedy about the meaning of life in the face of death, this film convinces by the strength of the content and the effective use of irony.

With impressive poetic imagery this first Kirghiz feature film succeeds in making the external simple narrative of the maturation of a young boy transparent for deeper dimensions of existence.  Through his artistic power and humanity, he transcends borders and helps us to discover our neighbour in the stranger.

The film shows, through humour and sadness, the conditions of those caught up in the complexities of opposing politics in North Ireland.  Seeing concrete situations with an aesthetic that skill fully matches the content, the audience comes to realise how hope is kept alive, often at great cost.