"Khaled" Movie Review

Khaled is a shockingly dark, grim story about an underprivileged ten-year-old boy. Beginning with schoolyard brawls based on ethnic background, to utter ignorance by school officials. This story is one of the worst possible scenarios for a child. Living in low incomehousing in Toronto, young Khaled must run his household, care for his sick and drug addicted mother as well as attend school.

Hassles from his blockheaded principal and teacher, to the sleazy landlord as well as the belligerent social worker, poor Khaled has far to much on his plate for any ten year old to handle. Grocery shopping, household cooking and cleaning, to even bathing his sick mother, Khaled tries to do it all. When his mother suddenly dies from an unnamed disease, his fear of foster care takes full flight.Past sexual assault gives Khaled all the reason to do anything he can to prevent this. Forging cheques to pay bills, becoming malnourished and unclean are only some of the controversial issues that he must encounter. As his dead mother rots in her bedroom, he attempts application of her makeup and sprays room freshener to eliminate the smell.

Although there is complete lack of hope within this film, the blind elderly neighbour seems to hold what is left in Khaled, she is the one he finally flees to. This young boy gives an example of what can go on in the minds of our youth, as well as shows how underprivileged some of today's youth are. Its as intense to watch as it ever could be. This is Asghar Massombagi's directorial debut. Its low budget digital filming and simplistic plot are far from a drawback, but only improve the tone, mood and feeling of this film.

(Side note: Here's Khaled star Michael D'Ascenzo with REEL CANADA Executive Director Jack Blum, after an appearance at A.Y. Jackson, in Toronto. He is not a little kid anymore!)

This film is definitely a tear jerker, especially when its realize that it is based upon a true story. This film touches the hearts of its viewers and develops a deep pity toward this young boy. Its story gives the viewer a heavy heart after its viewed, and leaves us in a understanding, and appreciative mood.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

- LW -