ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

Jason Thai

Reel Asian ’21: Inbetween Girl

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Inbetween Girl tells the story of Angie Chen, an American teenage girl dealing with the typical dramas of popularity, boys, sex, and plans after high school. What sets Inbetween Girl apart from your typical coming-of-age drama though is that the story greatly centres around the aftermath of her parents’ divorce and ties deeply into the relationship between her ethnicity and her identity. 

Angie’s mother is a white American and her father is Chinese. After the divorce, her father moves on to a Chinese woman whose daughter, Fang, is the stereotypical model student and model minority character. Perfect grades, Stanford student, “pratical” career aspirations are her markers (and everything Angie is seemingly not). Coupled with the fact that she grew up in a household that never spoke Chinese or acknowledged her Asian roots, Angie is stuck in-between cultures and trying to identify which (if either) define her. The film also explores Angie’s experience growing up biracial in an all white school, where the standards of beauty set by her peers show off their racist tendencies. (In fact, she’s even compared to a panda and treated like a dog that was bred for its ‘cute features’.)

Overall, I enjoyed the direction that Inbetween went as well. Angie is in a typical love triangle you see in many coming of age films, yet she has no desire for popularity. Instead, Angie simply wants to just live a good life and find her own identity. By showcasing it through her art, the film shows her personal growth effectively as she finds a way to express what she can’t through dialogue. 

Inbetween Girl is now playing at Reel Asian Film Fest ’21

The Suicide Squad: War is a Funny Thing

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The sequel to 2017’s disastrous Suicide Squad, James Gunn’s soft-reboot The Suicide Squad also tells the story of a ragtag group of villains and maniacs with unique abilities who are forced to work together by the America Government. If they are able to survive this suicide mission, they get reduced jail time. Disobey an order though and their head blows up. This time, their team consists Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), King Shark, a giant CGI shark-man (voiced by Sylvester Stallone) and other crazy characters thrown in the mix like a living human weasel and Mongal, an alien warrior from another planet. Their mission is to destroy Jötunheim, a Nazi-era prison located in Corto Maltese, South America where alien experimentations are being used by its new evil dictators. 

The Suicide Squad is James Gunn at his absolute best. This is a film that really feels like an R-rated Guardians of the Galaxy (which is definitely a good thing). Picking James Gunn as the writer/director was a great decision for the WB and the difference in quality between the first Squad film and this one is night and day. Widely panned by critics and audiences, the first film felt like it was made by Hot Topic. Overstuffed by character backstories with limited action scenes and, lest we forget, the worst depiction of the Joker ever, 2017’s Squad was a tremendous let-down for the company. However, in Gunn’s vision for Squad, we jump right into the action and craziness, where half the team gets decimated within the first 5 mins of the movie. (It really is a Suicide Squad…) Gunn’s voice is nuts, often unexpected, and truly fitting of a rated-R movie. 

In addition, unlike the first film, Gunn’s film really isn’t trying to take themselves too seriously. Gunn clearly understands how insane both the premise and some of these characters are. For instance, there’s one really epic scene where King Shark rips a guy in half with his bare heads in slow-motion while lighting strikes in the background. (And that’s not even the craziest part of the movie!) This Squad also contains a woman that controls rats, Harley’s epic escape from prison and Bloodsport’s shooting through someone else’s bullet. That sort of high intensity action pairs really well with the comedy that James Gunn loves throwing into his films like Polka-Dot Man’s deep hatred for his mom that runs so deeply that he sees her everywhere. 

The underlying theme of The Suicide Squad seems to be a criticism of American nationalism and the smoke and mirrors that the American image upholds. This idea is best symbolized through Amanda Waller and John Cena’s character, Peacemaker. Decked out in the classic red, white, and blue colors of America, Peacemaker has dedicated his heart for “liberty.” Both characters are willing to do whatever they can to preserve the image of America as ‘for the people, by the people’ and the nation that all others should aspire to be. Of course, this is all a delusion but both characters act to try to preserve this false image simply because it’s something that they were led to believe. They truly think what they’re doing is right, despite being on both sides of the propaganda. 

The Suicide Squad further delves into its critique of the US by mentioning how many South America countries have been ravaged by them during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Similar to the way that Corto Maltese was used to store illegal human experiments using the alien starfish, so too did the US use Cuba for their nuclear weapons in the 1960s. In an example of toxic American nationalism, Waller and the Peacemaker will do whatever it takes to preserve US interests, even at the expense of poorer and less developed countries.

Overall, The Suicide Squad is the rag tag team of villains that we deserved (and needed). Director James Gunn is allowed total freedom here and looks like a genius. Not only is the action exceptional (and plenty) but the comedy is incredible and works so well with the characters they have.

The 4K UHD combo pack contains a gag reel of ridiculousness, three themed trailers, commentary from Gunn, deleted and extended scenes, four “scene breakdowns,” and four featurettes: “Gotta Love the Squad,” “The Way of the Gunn,” “Starro: It’s a Freakin Kaiju!” and “Bringing King Shark to Life.”

TIFF ’21: Scarborough

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Adapted from the novel by Catherine Hernandez, Scarborough details the lives of three families of various backgrounds who live in poverty in Scarborough, Ontario. Meeting up at an after-school program at a local community center, the children’s stories begin to intertwine. 

Set in the urban centre of the Greater Toronto Area, Scarborough shows how one of the wealthiest cities on the planet can create a massive divide in wealth and resources between families. In many ways, the film offers a glimpse into the lives of true poverty and the struggles that these families face every day, like raising a child with limited finances and the mental burden that it places on the parents. Scarborough boldly shows how these limited resources can perpetuate the cycle of poverty, stunting the children’s potential and opportunities for a better future.

Personally, what I loved most about Scarborough is that it never shy’s away from the challenges of poverty yet it also makes it extremely difficult to watch. The film depicts a community of children that has been abandoned by its city, leaving them to endure child abuse and other traumas. One of the most difficult stories to watch is that of Laura, one of the three main children within the film. Abandoned by her mother and left to live with an abusive and racist father (who’s also mentally unstable), Laura lives in constant fear of others and has developed insufficient communication and social skills as a result of his violent outbursts. Under pressure to perform perfectly and called horrendous names by her father, Laura is struggling to survive in a toxic environment. Warped by her father’s bigotry, Laura’s worldview has been tainted. (She even genuinely asks her Muslim teacher if she ‘eats babies’.) 

In addition, Scarborough pulls no punches on the difficulties that occur with limited finances. Things we don’t consider are viewed as luxuries to families struggling daily, such as breakfast and lunches, school supplies and even toilet paper. These communities are hampered by their loss of funds and require help to make it through the day. Interestingly, the community center that provides the children breakfast becomes the centre point of the film and Ms. Hina, the Muslim daycare teacher, is the angel that these children need. However, despite Toronto being one of the most diverse cities on the planet, Ms. Hina faces constant bigotry by parents who confuse her racial background and her supervisors who reprimand her for not going above and beyond her duties. At a place in which the goal is to educate these kids and guide them into the future, its somewhat ironic that Ms. Hina is consistently undermined due to her race.

Overall, Scarborough is a must-see film and the truest depiction of First World poverty that I’ve ever seen. Never shying away from the abuse and neglect that these children endure, the film is raw and points out that the glaring cycle of poverty has not been addressed properly. As such, Scarborough is as informative as it is hard to watch. Though the story is fictional, it has never felt more real. 

TIFF ’21: MiddleMan

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In The Middleman, Frank, a man who has suffered from long term unemployment, must take on the role as of “middleman” in the town of Karmack, USA. Broken by their own pain, Karmack is a town that is so depressed that they require a professional middleman to give any bad news to people. This responsibility falls to Frank, who is given the extreme burden of a job nobody wants. (After all, this would be one of the most emotionally draining roles that one could do for a living.)

Initially, it seems as though Frank has been thrust into this role without choice. But, as the film unravels, it becomes clearer that Frank has actually chosen the role and did so out of guilt. Dealing with the shame of a tragic event from his childhood, Frank has lived in regret and guilt his whole life. As such, this job is his way of making amends for his guilt. He has to be the one to deliver bad news to people, to be the middleman and take in all the anger, grief, and frustration to those that he must deliver the bad news. It’s his way of getting what he thinks he deserves. This self-destruction only further worsens his mental health. Anytime that Frank is in a position of good fortune, he’s unable to bear it and does something destructive to his life in order to off-set the blessing.

If you think about it, Frank really is the villain of the story. No matter how guilty he feels, how much he tries to redeem himself, Frank continues to make the lives of those around him—and himself—worse. Because of his actions, Frank’s continues to harm those around him, despite his intent. As people, we want to improve on ourselves and be better yet sometimes we fail. In this way, Frank is the ultimate failure. The wild moments that unravel around him help Middleman to become a great dark comedy that entertains.

Overall, Middleman takes the viewer on a journey with Frank, a middleman for bad news. With some solid dialogue and brutal moments, the film is really a journey of a man with one of the most emotionally crushing jobs possible who is simply  trying to rectify his guilt and overcome his past.

The Middleman is currently playing at the Toronto International Film Festival.

TIFF ’21: The Humans

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Based on the play of the same name, Stephan Karam’s film The Humans is an American drama set within an apartment around Thanksgiving. At a season which is supposed to be about  celebration, three generations gather under one roof to discuss their lives, from the positives and negatives to even the most obscure conversations. Starring Amy Schumer, Steven Yeun, Beanie Feldstein, Jayne Houdyshell, and Richard Jenkins, The Humans give an outsiders view into what this random family is going through. 

In many ways, Humans feels like a look into the ‘typical’ American life, especially during the holidays. Opposing viewpoints, perspectives, and generational differences are all things that often surface during these times and make the season challenging for many. One very important conversation to the film that was addressed during the directors Q&A is the impact of work and how much finances interplay with family connection and life. A struggling family dealing with job loss, unemployment, and medical bills seems standard for the typical American family as finances of older generations fail. As a result, it seems that there’s a higher dependence on the younger generation to take care of parents. In fact, having three generations under one roof has become more common, simply out of necessity. 

One thing that I loved about The Humans was how raw and human it felt. Throughout their time together, the viewer is left as a bystander, forced to listen to the lives of these people. In many ways, these people are an average family. They could be you or your loved ones, including the sorrows and anxieties which bubble to the surface and how they try to cope with them by coming together. The film is beautiful yet, at the same time, it’s also sad seeing the human experience play out so casually in this little apartment. There’s something so fascinating about hearing “private” conversations that aren’t meant for our ears. It’s like we’re eavesdropping on the gossip.

Overall, The Humans is a great movie that provides a look into the typical American household and the fears, dreams, and regrets that haunt us all. As a family, they do their best to endure their struggles and support one another. Backed by stellar performances and a solid script, the film highlights the challenges of doing life together.

The Humans is now playing at the TIFF ’21.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Celebrating (and Owning) Culture

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In Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, skilled fighter and assassin Shang Chi (Simu Liu) is confronted by the family legacy and past that he thought he had left behind. His father is known as The Mandarin, the leader of the Ten Rings organization and one of the most villainous people in history, uses a legendary weapon to give himself immortality and power so great that it rivals Thanos’ Infinity Stones. After Shang Chi escapes his father’s grasp and flees to San Francisco, The Mandarin recaptures his son and wants him back in the fold to help with his master plan. 

There has been a great deal of attention lately focusing on Asian hate during the pandemic. (In fact, as crimes and hate against Asians have increased, Shang Chi earned terrible early reviews on Google despite not having been released to the public yet.) However, with an uncompromising vision, one of the best aspects of Shang Chi is that the movie never tries to “whitewash” him or the story to appeal to the general audience. Instead, the film embraces Asian representation and use of culture in all aspects, from the wardrobe, fight scenes, backgrounds, mythical creatures, weapons, and even allowing them to speak Chinese onscreen. 

Like Black Panther’s celebration of African culture, Shang Chi shows the audience just how rich Asian culture can be and how much great talent there is in Hollywood right now that is being overlooked. The whole movie is really an immersive cultural experience and those who have never seen an Asian-led film before are going to be blown away. Of course, it still does also do all of the great things that have made Marvel be so successful as well, such as its trademark witty humor, CGI glory, and super creative/intense superhero fight scenes. (Incidentally, in its set pieces, Shang Chi really creates martial arts scenes that you’d expect to see from a classic Jackie Chan movie, a style which blends really well with Marvel’s cinematography and choreography.) As an absolute huge celebration of Asian culture, Shang Chi is a huge step in the right direction for inclusion and diversity for Disney and the movie industry as well. (And, of course, make sure to stay for both after credit scenes.)  

Marvel’s first Asian led superhero movie, Shang Chi takes its audience on a mythical journey of intense martials art action mixed with a storyline that really speaks to Millennials and Gen-Z’s. Being a second (or longer) generation immigrant, there is often a huge lack of cultural identity. For example, while you may grow up learning bits of your background and know that you are Asian but you may not really identify (or want to identify) with your culture. In this way, you can be kind of tied between your ethnic origins and the culture of the country that you’re growing up within. Especially when as a child, you’re constantly bombarded with media that does not celebrate or acknowledge you. This notion also relates to Shang Chi himself, as his character arc follows the story of a second-generation immigrant who is troubled by his past and the legacy that his father is forcing on him.

Typically, the aspirations of a tiger parent are known for pushing their kid to become something that they don’t want to be. For many Asian parents, this dream is for their child to become a doctor or lawyer. For Shang Chi, however, it’s to become head of the Ten Rings. Wanting nothing to do with his heritage, Shang abandons it entirely by running away and completely disassociating himself with it. (In fact, he’s even ashamed of his true origins.) The relatability of watching him is how a lot of Asians feel about their family and culture too. To these youth, their parents’ culture is something to hide and attempt to break free from. Without giving away any spoilers, it’s only after Shang Chi goes on this adventure and confronts his family and homeland that he reconnects with his roots. In doing so, he begins to feel some pride in who he is and who he can become. (“You are a product of all that have come before you,” he’s told.) Personally, I really believe that the film uses this to highlight the struggle for younger Asians to acknowledge their culture and own their background is a part of who they are now. There is a message of cultural celebration within the film that invites second-generation immigrants to be proud of their heritage, rather than hide or be ashamed of your own race. 

Overall, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is an amazing celebration of Asian culture that was long overdue. By celebrating Asian culture, Marvel has really taken a great step in the right direction at a time when it’s needed. As the latest new character into the MCU, the film is fueled by family ties that really drive the story and demonstrate the struggle of the next generation to connect with their history. 

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theatres on Friday, September 3, 2021

Black Conflux: Fighting for Hope in a World of Toxic Gender

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Set in 1980’s Newfoundland, Black Conflux explores the life of Jackie, a troubled teenage girl, and Dennis, a lonesome man, as they both struggle with their sad lives. Small town blues resulting in depression, alienation, and hopeless all impact these two individuals as they try to make something of themselves. Both want more but both are limited to the town and resources that are available to them.

Black Conflux really does an excellent job of exploring the fruitlessness of small-town living. Jackie, a young teen in high school, lives a boring and even depressive life. Her life feels as though it has almost no meaning to it. Because there’s little to do in Newfoundland, she and her friends spend their time drinking, smoking and, when they’re really bored, just hanging out at the mall. Dennis is in a similar situation, working a dead-end warehouse job for scraps with nothing to look forward to on a daily basis. Frustrated and empty, everything in their lives seems to lead to more disappointment. Even so, they both crave more, whether it’s wanting to move away to a big city or meet that special someone. Black Conflux showcases the struggles that average people in a small town endure and how their ordinary lives can be a strenuous journey.

Black Conflux also takes a look into gender issues and the ways that both men and women have been treated or stereotyped in the recent past. For instance, this becomes particularly clear when one character is almost raped by a long-time friend. Because the young man has been portrayed as a sweet and kind guy, the victim struggles to find others who believe her story, even calling her a tease. In this moment, the films showcases how poorly women have been treated, with others minimizing the effects of rape and victim shaming. Plus, this scene also highlights the fact that even someone close to you can be a potential assaulter. 

At the same time, Dennis personifies toxic masculinity. He’s angry, brooding, and aggressive but also kind of sad and pathetic. The notion that a men must be smart, successful, confident, and persuasive definitely weighs on him. His love/sex life is not what he wants it to be. His career as a warehouse stocker leads to nothing but his boss belittling him. In this way, Black Conflux points to the depressive effects of toxic masculinity before it even had a name, and how devasting it can affect the mental health of some men. As both Dennis and Jackie process their feelings of guilt and shame, they also must fight to recognize that they are not merely the sum of their own pain. Instead, regardless of what may have happened in the past, what you do next is what really matters.

Overall, Black Conflux is a powerful film that show the struggles that men and women face on a daily basis. Even though it’s set in the 1980s, its exploration of gender issues feels current and serve as a reminder of the challenges that both genders must endure.

Black Conflux is available on VOD and Digital now.

Free Guy: Breaking Free from the Background

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Free Guy is an action-comedy film starring Ryan Reynolds as “Guy,” an NPC (non-playable character) meant for the background (and amusement of other real players) in the video game world of Free City, an open world mix-up of popular sandbox games such as Grand Theft Auto, Fortnite, and The Sims. The thing that makes Guy special though is that he gains sentience and develops self-awareness and artificial intelligence. Breaking from the monotony of his Bank Teller job duties, Guy becomes free and goes on one of the most action packed and surprisingly existential journeys you’ll see this year.

Although Free Guy markets itself as just another comedy action film, it’s actually one of the takes an interesting look into the potential future of artificial intelligence, simulation theory, as well as criticizes the monotony of modern life. For those unfamiliar, simulation theory is the belief that we could be living in a digital simulation. In other words, we’re all just AIs who are code living in a virtual world where technology has improved so much that the NPC themselves are intelligent and the digital realm is indistinguishable from reality. Free Guy lives within that premise, as Guy does not know that everything within his world (and everyone he’s ever cared about) is really just part of a video game. 

When Guy discovers that he’s just some background character in a video game, everything feel pointless to him. Guy’s original character cycle is to wake-up, go to his job at the bank, suffer some kind of abuse for a player’s mission in the game, and repeat. Looking at his own life, he begins to criticize all the things people in the city do every day. But it’s also a reflection of our “real” society as well. When Guy says ‘This is all meaningless! This is all fake’, he’s also talking about many of our lives in the real world. Living our lives in the day-to-day, the loop that so many of us are in is essentially the same as some random background NPC character. In many ways, it can feel like we’re all NPCs who just can’t get free and escape. Tasked to serve Free City’s creators, all the NPC’s purpose (including Guy) is to just gain as much money as possible for the business itself. Antoine, the CEO of Free City (played by Taika Waititi), actively declines innovation that isn’t profitable and does whatever he can to squeeze enjoyment out of the misery of the NPCs in Free City, even though he knows that they are self-aware and intelligent beings. The ruler of Guy’s world is the business that he’s a product, not unlike the big businesses that we work for and allow to manage/monetize our lives. 

As he grows in his self-awareness, Guy gathers the other NPCs in order to assist in breaking them free from their work cycles. The speech is honestly pretty inspirational, as it dives into the monotony of their lives and inspires them to pursue what they really want to do with their lives and be free. Obviously, this moment is a message to the audience to wake up and not do things you do simply because you think you have to. You’re not just some background character living for someone else’s amusement. You’re so much more. You have freewill and should use it to pursue what you really want. Like the NPCs within the game, we too have power in real life.

When most people bring up simulation theory, it’s often pretty bleak. After all, you’re just code. Therefore, nothing you do is “real” and that you’re “fake”. Nothing truly matters since everything around you is just more code, more facade. But Free Guy has a positive look into life in a simulation and why it matters. Whether or not you are really in a simulation, you still can live a full and free life. (And honestly who’s to decide what’s real or fake, even if made of code?) If you have intelligence, you have free will. What makes your life any less real than the “real world”? What makes you any less alive? Your life and your friends and family are real to you, whether you’re code or flesh.

Despite the story having one of the most interesting underlying messages I’ve seen this year, it is also an amazing action comedy. While Reynolds excels in these roles, he really comes alive onscreen as Guy. With wonderment and lust for life, Reynolds does a great job portraying a character who is learning what it’s like to be truly alive for the first time. His performance is  hilarious and gives you a sense of joy watching him evolve. 

Filled with video game and pop culture references, Free Guy is definitely targeting the younger generation. As a Disney product, the film takes full advantage of MCU and Star Wars weaponry in the most amusing fight scenes. (This is similar to the partnerships the video game Fortnite has integrated so well into their games.) What’s more, the gaming moments are also done very well. This really feels like a video game, and you can tell that the CGI and special effects team did their homework into other open world games in order to get it right.

Overall, Free Guy is a very pleasant surprise and one of the most interesting and meaningful movies you’ll see this year. With all the video game references and action/comedy that you’d expect from Ryan Reynolds, Guy is great film that gives you both a look into the future of AI and our place in this world.

Free Guy is available in theatres on August 13, 2021.

Jungle Cruise: One Fun Ride

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Even though it’s a blockbuster based on a theme park ride that’s filled with bad puns, Jungle Cruise is one insane trip.

Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as skipper Frank Wolff and Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton. Set in 1916, at the height of WWI, Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) is a British doctor who reluctantly teams up with Frank, an expert tour guide of the Amazon. Setting sail on his rickety old boat, they go on a jungle adventure to acquire the petals of a magical tree that will change modern medicine and, potentially, even end the war. However, hot on their heels is the contemptable Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons), a German aristocrat determine to use the petal for his own gain. 

In many ways, Cruise feels like a Marvel movie. Filled with witty and charming banter that’s just plain fun, the dialogue pops like the best MCU moments. In fact, there are moments when hearing The Rock banter with Blunt feels like those conversations between Iron Man and Captain America. The chemistry these two have is amazing and just feels so natural. What’ s more, action scenes are also well choreographed and take advantage of the beautiful amazon setting, including all creatures and supernatural elements that are involved. The over-arching supernatural/magical backstory is much more complex than initially expected which was a very pleasant surprise, especially considering it’s based on a fun little ride for vacationers.  

Personally, I loved that they were able to take an iconic Disney ride and make it into an intense action movie. As the tour guide of the ride, Frank even shares the same bad puns that you’d hear from the famed tour guides on the Jungle Cruise at Disney World. Featuring all the dangers of the island such as the natives and wildlife, Cruise really makes you feel you’re back in Florida on the ride itself (except, in a strange way, it feels even more immersive watching the movie.)  

With an eye on inclusion, Jungle Cruise seems to be one of Disney’s major steps toward “wokeness.” As a woman in the early 20th Century, Dr. Houghton gets absolutely no respect from the scientific community. In addition, her brother McGregor (Jack Whitehall), one of the very few rare gay characters in Disney’s movies, is also ostracized simply for his sexuality., Whereas the action genre is traditionally dominated by straight males, Jungle Cruise utilizes these two characters in a way where that highlights who they were and views them as equal

At the same time, Frank’s character arc is also closely tied with this. Without giving any spoilers, Frank has witnessed the absolute worst of people throughout his life. Broken by the pain of his past, he would rather die than spend another minute alive. However, Lily takes an alternative view. Instead of giving up, Lily sees the horror of this world but actively wants to change it for the better. Despite the frustrations that she sees and has experienced at the hands of a male-dominated society, Lily is committed to fighting for a new future, giving the film a more hopeful edge.  

Led by the dynamic duo of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, Jungle Cruise has everything you want and more from a Disney action movie. Funny and energetic, the film has an adventurous spirit that should entertain all ages. In short, Jungle Cruise is a fun ride.

Jungle Cruise is available in theatres and on Disney+ Premiere Access on July 30th, 2021.

Sun Children: Shining a Light on 152 Million in Child Labour

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Set in Iran, Sun Children tells the story of Ali, a 12-year-old boy and his friends who are unfortunately the sole providers for their struggling families. As one of the 152 million children forced into child labor, Ali must perform excruciating manual labor instead of getting an education, destroying their bodies and sacrificing their futures just so to survive. However, one day, he and his friends are presented with an opportunity that could change their lives for the better. Recruited to pull off a heist, they must enroll into Sun School, a charitable institution that gives children an education and a future. Once enrolled, they must dig underground of the school to reach a buried treasure that should change their lives.

Directed by Majid Majidi, Sun Children really explores the exploitative nature of Third World countries and the hopeless situations that these children are forced into. The main focus of the story is Ali who, as the only one in his family capable of earning an income, must work as a tire maker to keep up with his mother’s medical bills. Due to non-existent social nets, such as universal health care, child benefits, or welfare, Ali is taken advantage of and works his youth away for a measly amount of money. Like many kids in these situations, Ali is trading time that could have been used for school and thus, sacrificing his future as well. 

Ali remains trapped within a system that exploits and the film highlights the class differences that are in place. (In fact, the film even starts off with a luxury car scene showing the benefits that the rich have received from employing child labor.) Here, the wealth difference and divide is absurd, especially within the same city. As a result of a life that forces them to “paycheque to paycheque” or struggling to find work at all, many youth often result to crimes to better their lives, making criminals out of them. In the end, Sun Children shows that this is a corrupt system that has abandoned the needs of millions of youth for financial gain. What’s more, there’s no incentive for the government to make any changes to the system as they are being lobbied by the rich in order to perpetuate this social divide.

Ali and his friends mission subjects them to constant work and sacrifice for no reward. For example, Ali is working to provide for his mother but, due to sacrificing his education, will most likely be in poverty his entire life. His only hope is that his mother gets better miraculously but, with the little funds that he can provide, that most likely isn’t going to happen. At Sun School the boys are, for the first time, given an opportunity to learn, expand their knowledge and gain the possibility to get actual careers and a future for themselves. On Ali’s first day in class, the first question they ask him is what is the greatest source of light, and the answer being the sun. In this way, Sun School refers to these children as the brightest things in our world because the children light up with happiness when they’re in class.

Ali, however, is the only child that is determined to get the treasure and forgoes his opportunity at the school in order to do so. Digging constantly throughout each school day, Ali put everything into trying to obtain the treasure that he believes will change their lives. To him, the treasure means freedom. It’s a fresh start. However, within this culture, these sorts of dreams can be difficult to find (and even more difficult to obtain). As the film concludes, while it highlights the hope that these children carry about their future, Sun School also leans into the painful realities that these Iranian children experience on a daily basis.

What I really liked about this film was that it was not afraid to show the harsh reality of the world that many children around the world live in. For millions of youth, the system in place makes it nearly impossible for them to move up from the depths of poverty, while the rich and politicians keep their wealth and power. While Sun Children may be hard to watch sometimes, it’s a film that is needed to be viewed in order to understand the situation. You really see just how much work and suffering these children go through for almost nothing in return. That being said, the film isn’t in total despair. The moments where the kids are playing or actively participating in school and extra circulars really showcase their innocence and how bright these kids are. In doing so, it also emphasizes how sad it is that they just weren’t given a fair opportunity in life. 

Overall, Sun Children is a great film that highlights a major global issue that is invisible to the eyes of people living in First World countries. The exploitation, the corruption, and the endless cycle of poverty in Children is a must watch for those unaware of the current situation and I highly recommend it.

Sun Children is available on VOD on Friday, June 25, 2021