Kauwboy

The titel of "Kauwboy" is sort of a pun, because it sounds like cowboy. Originally I thought that the meaning of the title was chewing boy (to chew is "kauwen" in Dutch) because there was chewing gum in the clip I saw from the film. In reality however the meaning of the title is jackdaw boy because the main character (the 9 years old Jojo played by Rick Lens) is raising a young jackdaw he found after it fell out of his nest.

"Kauwboy" is a film that is of interest to children as well as adults. I think the children will focus on the storyline of raising the jackdaw while the adults will soon focus on the strained relationship between Jojo and his father.

Jojo lives alone with his father and the position of the mother remains indistinct for a large part of the movie. The father easily loses his temper and when this happens it is Jojo that is keeping the peace. At such moments the father - son relationship is kind of reversed, like that in "Leave no trace" (2018, Debra Granik).

"Kauwboy" was the first feature length movie of Boudewijn Koole. With "Beyond sleep" (2016) and "Disappearance" (2017) he proved himself to be one of the most productive contemporary Dutch directors. "Kauwboy" also was the debut for Rick Lens (born 2000) who plays the main character. His natural acting style, sometimes acting as a little boy sometimes forced to act well beyond his age, is crucial for the quality of the film.

At the end of the movie the storylines of the jackdaw and the father - son relationship come together again in what in my view is a little forced happy end. The end of "Kes" (1969, Ken Loach), a film that combines the same themes as "Kauwboy", was more natural but less happy.

In an era when many movies are just re-hashes of other movies this little production distinguishes itself. Very watchable. Touching. Engaging. Real. Anyone who has known loss way too soon in life will identify. The lead actor has real talent. You quickly forget you're watching an actor, so natural is his performance. And the directing distinguishes itself as well. It's said never work with animals or children, or animal-like children (hey, he growls and bites!). But the performance coaxed out of this young talent is notable. And I can't imagine working with a bird was any easier. Kudos all around And please do watch it until the very end for a very special scene.

Do you like dull and boring movies? If so then this movie is for you. Same European low budget film which is based on deep meanings where only sophisticated audience will get. Also considered art, not for a shallow thinkers and audience like us. Acting of a 10 year old and a bird. Actually this movie is so boring I could place it in the top 10 boring movies of all time.

The movie starts out the same way it ends. Whatever you do, see it with subtitles. If it does come out dubbed, I wonder if something may be lost.

Jojo is a little boy, maybe 8 or 10, he's struggling with his mom not being around. he talks to her on the telephone telling her things about his life and the Jackdaw chick he's rescued from the nest. He initially tries to return the chick but the mother refuses and tries to attack him and the chick falls back out. He takes the chick home.

Throughout the movie when you suspect that the tone is going to get deep and heavy and maudlin, it lilts back to life thanks to an incredibly moving soundtrack and Jojo's spirit with the connection to the Jackdaw chick. There's so much more going on in this movie than meets the surface. It's one of those that should be watched more than once. To see such a spectacular performance from the main character is simply amazing.

No spoilers, just, if you're lucky enough to see this movie, enjoy it. It's worth the effort to find.

It was so adorable and interesting but at the end i cried like a baby... I didn't expect that at all, the whole movie was sad and a bit intense about father and his child relationship. Kid was so nice and friendly with the bird, he missed his mom, father was drowning himself i to an alcohol also thinking about his wife. This movie reminded me my first crow and now i have another one crow, i can't live without this damn bird! I loved my first crow so much, and now my second one is my whole life... Birds are so vulnerable... 😭