Never become twelve-years-old. Chava, an eleven-year-old boy, who lives in El Salvador with his mother and his two little siblings, is frightened. He should actually be really happy, because it will be his birthday, soon: twelve years old. But the fear is deep inside. A crushing civil war is taking place, and at twelve you join the army...
In this beautiful and very realistic movie the spectator joins that fear: Will Chava be taken, or will he survive. Many of Chavas friends are executed and one has to join the army, where he has to learn how to kill as many people as possible.
The movie is based on a true story, which makes it very spirited. The audience is torn by terrible and cruel moments on the one, and very calm moments on the other hand, when the children are trying to "normalize" their everyday life in their games.
Though the topic itself is terrible and also humiliating, the movie never loses a certain witticism. Really, at a moment, when all the spectators are sobbing into their handkerchiefs, another thing comes up to make you laugh. That might only be a detail, but this is what makes this movie so very special.
What else impressed me very deeply where the close-ups in combination to the music. You can't help the goosebumps this all gives to you. Also the dialogues are extraordinary. Most are very brief, but full of wisdom. You "absorp" the knowledge and start conferring it to yourself...
If Chava and and his family will survive or if he finally will have to join the army is a question that accompanies you throughout the movie. Your torn feelings almost drive you crazy, but this is particularly beautiful.
This movie is - without exaggeration - the best one I've ever seen and it is definitely worth seeing it! Big ones or small ones - the topic gets very close to everybody, and from my opinion it is an honour for "14 plus", to have such a meaningsful, sad but also funny movie in its programm!