Bekas

I wasn't expecting much out of this movie. Looking at the movie poster thought it's just a funny kiddie movie set in Iraq but I was wrong. It was one of the best regional movies I have ever watched. The director has done an amazing job with the direction and working with the kids. The small kid was just out of the world, he cud easily beat the best when it comes to acting. I wonder why such kids don't get an opportunity on the bigger stage. The movie is sad but very funny at the same time. I can't imagine there are still innocent kids living like that even now, matter of fact in even worser conditions. I personally wud like to forget the sadder part and keep the funny moments in my memory, not that am not concerned abt their plight. I wud like to recommend this movie to everyone. This is must watch movie.

Written and Directed by Kurdish director, Karzan Kader, Bekas (means parentless in Kurdish) is inspired by real life events which happened in Kurdistan region of Iraq in 1990. The movie narrates the story of two orphaned shoe-shine boys - six year old Zana (Zamand Taha) and the elder Dana (Sarwar Fazil). While the young Zana is feisty, the elder Dana, on the threshold of adolescence, is more worldly wise. After stealing a few glimpses of Superman from a hole in the wall of a movie hall, both Zana and Dana are in awe of Superman's powers. At once, they intend to go to America, where they believe Superman resides, to befriend him and live with him. They also plan to bring Superman back to their home to punish their tormentors and to resurrect their deceased parents. Zana even makes a hit-list of his tormentors topped by Saddam Hussein. They fashion their own innocent - yet, innovative - solutions to overcome the real world constraints they face like arranging passports, funds or border crossings. For their transport, they procure a donkey which sports a BMW logo on its forehead and christened by Zana as (yes.. oh yes..) Michael Jackson.

Thus unfolds a road movie which captures the eventful journey of its two young protagonists through a bleak landscape that is poised on the brink of war. In this journey, the young duo rendezvous with a bevy of varied and interesting characters representing a veritable microcosm of humanity in its myriad natures and predispositions. It is also a journey which would test and retest the resilience of their brotherly bond only to reinforce it stronger. There is also a minor sub-plot involving Dana's liking for a Helliya, a Professor's daughter.

Writer-Director Karzan Kader successfully juxtaposes the sparkling and almost immaculate innocence of his two young leads through their journey presented as a poetic pursuit of their dreams with the harsh realities of a world they inhabit which is torn by strife and poverty. In Zamand Taha (Zana) and Sarwar Fazil (Dana) who play the two brothers, he finds a set of non-actors who are complete naturals and play, nay, live their roles to perfection. They share a warm chemistry and charm their way effortlessly into our hearts. He peppers his narrative with several small characters which leave an imprint in the viewer - be it Baba Khaled (father figure), Mr. Osman (a friend of their father) or the old man they meet on the road.

Kader's movie presents his homeland as a place populated by essentially good and simple people who are roughened by the ravages of war, oppression and limited means. Cinematographer Johan Holmquist deserves a special mention for capturing the bleak landscapes with a surreal beauty.

A road movie that captures the strong bonding of love, affection and togetherness between its two young protagonists, this is also in equal parts a tale of hope, love and loyalty that is laced with delightful humour, moments of thrill, suspense, poignancy and warmth that is sure to tug at the viewers' heart.

Bekas was the opening movie at the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFES 2013) and has been appreciated at several international film festival festivals.

I just wanna say one of the best movie i had seen. Karzan all kurdish people proud of you

I have watched Bekas during Stockholm festival and must admit it has certainly delivered something. Each of the kids' story, their surroundings, Iraq landscape under Saddam's regime along with the Kurds conflict can be a tempting subject for a heartfelt depressing drama. Bekas has managed to combine all and make us laugh. With all the empathy and the connection we made with the 2 kids, we still laughed. Perhaps how intact their innocence and spontaneity were portrayed was the secret behind such a good movie. Bekas is certainly not meant to be a comedy thou (in the classic sense); I think it is a real fantasy and an opportunity for a lot of us to reflect on what we had throughout our childhood.

Bekas is the tale of two orphans, Zana and Dana in Iraqi Kurdistan. It is set in a period of time where the Kurdish people were living under rather humbling conditions and were still oppressed by the dictator Saddam Hussein.

This is beautifully portrayed in the movie trough the eyes of Zana and Dana. Besides being authentic in its portraying, the movie also accomplishes to be very witty and funny at the same time and makes you fall in love with the two interesting and different characters that Zana and Dana are.

This movie is by far one of my favorites and a must see for everyone, okay I am saying this 'partly' because I myself am Kurdish, but it really is a good drama, funny at times and more importantly very authentic. I definitely recommend this movie.