The Falconer

The movie "The Falconer" is based on a real-life friendship between two teenagers living in Oman and the clash of growing up in different societies and cultures. But the main theme of the movie is the discussion about freedom, on one hand, the culture of the need to buy freedom, and on the other hand the freedom to be born and stay free. There is a passage in the movie where Tariq expresses to his foreign friend "You love it here because you can leave". Tariq knows that his freedom is to stay behind to help his family.

The movie directed by Adam Sjöberg and Seanne Winslow is not super original, but it carries a great deal of humanism, reality, and sensibility. One issue in the movie is the editing, it seems unsynchronized.

On the one hand, considering that it's a budget film, they did a good job with it; The acting was pretty good for a crew of inexperienced actors. The story was pretty good. And the scenery was quite beautiful. Hats off to everyone involved. Also, I really enjoyed the soundtrack.

On the other hand, I had a little bit of a problem with the fact that they were stealing animals from the zoo and selling them. They made it seem like it was okay to engage in this kind of behavior. I don't think it's ever okay. And the other problem I had with this film is that no one noticed that the animals were missing. How the heck does that happen? I know it's supposed to be based on a true story, but I think they took some liberties here.

Anyway, it's worth watching. I just don't think it's worth the 6.4 rating on IMDB.

From different worlds, separated by unique lifestyles, two friends model for viewers that no matter what divides us, we have a universal language that helps to form a strong bond. The Falconer, an award-winning adventure drama, is a one-of-a-kind film sure to wow its audience. It's the first international movie in history to be filmed entirely in this Middle Eastern town which alone sets this film apart from others.

Based on real life events, The Falconer highlights the friendship of two teenage boys living in a tiny Oman village and separated by other cultures outside of their small world. Tariq, an Omani teenager, the son of a poor beekeeper, is somewhat of the underdog within the relationship as his friend Cai, the son of Westerners, was born into an affluent world. Their passion for animals and the zoo that they work at solidifies their relationship and keeps them happy and shut off from the rest of the world, until their cultural difference becomes the wedge that will drive their friendship apart. Tariq's sister, forced into an arranged marriage, is being abused by her new husband and decides divorce is her only means to survive. Money -- which their family does not have -- is the only thing that can help her escape her marriage. The boys struggle with their moral conscience, but find that they can help Tariq's sister by stealing the zoo animals and selling them on the black market; however a line is crossed when Tariq decides to sell Cai's prize possession, the falcon he stole himself and dreams of one day setting free.

There is much symbolism in this film, which I find highly engaging. The falcon, for instance, is trapped in a captive life, much like many people who are born within a potentially hostile culture. This magnificent creature symbolizes the tension between a society that you are born into and the freedom that lives within you. This symbolism is deep-rooted and very authentic. What I also love about The Falconer is witnessing such breathtaking landscapes throughout the film. Some scenes are slow at times, but this allows viewers to take in the beauty that surrounds the actors and give us such an appreciation for Oman's landscapes and geography. Hats off to the cinematographers that capture such perfect footage. And a big two thumbs up for directors Adam Sjoberg and Seanne Winslow for creating such a timely, humanistic film.

The messages in The Falconer are about close relationships and cultural differences. Friendships are indeed critical while going through life, but those close bonds have limits and will always be second to family. Family is deep-rooted and sometimes complicated. We tend to only understand the culture we live in, and yet we must learn to respect our cultural differences with others. Parents should know there is some adult language in this film.

I give The Falconer 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Falconer is available now on a variety of streaming platforms. By Dominic D., KIDS FIRST!

About life and living as a white american arabspeaking citizen of the sultanate of oman at the arabian peninsula, his connections to envirnment and animals and his omanian friends and peers. The film shows the cultural and ritualistic differences between the western and the arabic culture, in depht about poverty and arranged marriage.

Its a most basicly made and at a low budget produced feature lenght film, where the plot has no real suspense, the acts are at the average and the story that wont leave you more wiser that before. A good look at omanian natural scenery and coastal barren beauty you will get, its a film for the quality on low budget seeking audiences, and a very small recommend for the try from the grumpy old man.

It's a beautiful movie, made me think of my friend. Stories are great, Beacause it brings people together irrespective of their background. What attracted me most is that it really portraits the difference in freedom people from East and west, especially the youths, have. If you like travelling, or open to learn about new culture, curious about the world, I Defently recommend this one. Maybe because that I had something similar happened in my life made it special. Everyone watches the popular Box Office movies, but it is the lesser known movies we watch that truly reflect our interests and fascinations.