Provides a much-needed, difficult-to-accomplish perspective on the invasion of Iraq and the situation in Kurdistan.

Really disturbing movie. It's not only an interesting view of the conflict not just from the other side, but made by the other side. The kids, not being professional actors, look absolutely convincing. Maybe it has something to do with being possibly their real lives. But it's not only the impact of the scenario, it's also the tension surrounding some scenes, the expectation and interest created.

Brutal.

Complex and subtle, with a superb performance by the lead actor. For all the difference and diversity of directors such as Kiarostami, Ghobadi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Jafar Panahi, it is hard not to also feel there is a style and an outlook common to these Iranian filmmakers, that is somehow simple and complicated, warm and cold, hard and soft, sensitive and direct, emotional and detached, straightforward and intellectual, naturalistic and fantastical, all at the same time.

It just wasn't for me, I wish it had a more substantial plot. Also: 2 hours of children yelling very loud.

sad but nice!

In giving us a look into life in Kurdistan in the lead up to the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi gives us one of the most powerful films about the consequences of unrelenting war I've seen.The children, none of them professional actors, give realistic portrayals that really brings out the emotional impact of there lives.The message of this film is less about the politics but about how we forget the people who are hurt by the decisions all involved made.

"Ghobadi casts his pint-sized protagonists as metaphors for the disenfranchised Kurdish minority that struggles to accept and deal with their imposed political alienation." - Nick Schager

A magnificent film which you'll either love or hate, where the border between fantasy and reality colide. The America-Iraq war is just a background; this is really a fairy tale that centers on the children, the innocents of the vulnerable parts of Iraq (and casting real war refugees was a genius decision). Somewhere along the way, anyhow, I missed the point; and while I don't think this is such a fantastic film, I like it as it is.

Very powerful, the cast consisting mostly of children effected by war really enhanced the film.

A modern day child's fairy tale set in Iraq, it's hard to tell whether this is reality or fantasy. Stepping into this side of Iraq today is a bit like stepping through the looking glass. Hard to believe it's real, though parts of it are undeniable. Definitely worth seeing, though a bit hard to love.