The Kite
(2004/Global Lens Collection/First Run Features DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C+ Film: C+
In yet
another film about people divided by hate and war, Randa Chahal Sabbag’s The Kite (2004) is about a relationship
split by a fence, this time being an arranged wedding. The two have never met, yet here is the
beautiful 16-year-old female being sent to an unknown fate. That is what such marriages are all the time. This is sometimes a beautiful film and though
it is short and has many points we have seen before, it is not bad just by not
running on.
The young
lady has fallen for a soldier guarding the border instead and the implications
are as ironic as they are sad. I know I
have likely missed some symbolism that only persons from that region or who
have a major understanding of that region would get, but going by what I saw
felt it could not to some extent overcome some predictability, but it is worth
a look and something special just the same.
The anamorphically
enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is softer than I would have liked, though color can be
good and there is some good composition here.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is not great and maybe a generation down,
but the print has built-in subtitles. Extras
include a discussion guide, Global Lens Showcase which offers one frame per
film with the option of seeing a trailer in some cases and trailer for the 2008
series.
- Nicholas Sheffo
