How can I begin describing this film? Okay, I’ll begin with the basics. This is Filmmaker Løkkeberg’s collaborative effort with several Palestinian camera people to bring very real, heartwrenching footage of the devastating Israeli bombings that took place in Gaza between 2008 and 2009. Løkkeberg was able to introduce the film and shared with us that she and her husband were unable to enter Gaza but with the help of many brave men and women, the film came together. The film is the story of three children but in fact, they are just three among many who have been deeply affected by the bombings and the never ending struggle.

In less than 90 minutes, we come to know these three children — a boy and two girls — their stories not exactly the same yet the all have lost a parent to the bombings. They have lost part of their childhood and innocence that cannot be restored. By reading the film’s description, you know it’s graphic. Seeing the film, however, proves difficult at times. Images of family members looking for the remains of their loved ones; children’s bodies pulled out of the shambles are just an example of the reality that is Gaza. The area is closed off to pretty much everyone; no aid can be sent; no goods can be bought… people are starving, children are dying in front of our eyes. I pretty much lost it by the 15min mark and just kept tissue in hand for the rest of the film. I noticed a couple of people left the screening as it may have been to much for them to see. During the Q&A, Løkkeberg described she was pretty much coaching the camera people how to film, since she was unable to enter Gaza. She instructed them to take as many close ups of the children as possible; keeping the cameras rolling all the time. The result is a poignant depiction of how war affects the innocent; mostly women and children. This film is definitely one-sided and sometimes it needs to be. It’s not often we get to see the real damage these people, especially the children, have to live with. If you saw this film at TIFF, you may agree with me or not. If you did not, I suggest you look more into this and be informed.

The Sound of Mumbai: A Musical
Dir. Sarah McCarthy

This film is not as horrific as Tears of Gaza but children are also the soul of the documentary. McCarthy along with a small crew set off to the slums of Mumbai, India to film a group of children partake in a very special opportunity — the chance to sing The Sound of Music accompanied by a classical orchestra. The boy that stole many of the audience’s hearts is eleven-year old Ashish, whose words of affirmation “I am not self-conscious” stay with you well after you’ve seen the film. Like all kids in the film, Ashish lives in the slums with his family in a one-room house. The fact he’s been chosen to perform with the orchestra at the National Centre for the Performing Arts creates a lot of excitement at home but also generates a lot of pressure. This may be the one chance he gets at gain attention from someone who may want to sponsor him with tuition for his studies; a chance to help himself and his family to get out of their current situation.

Watching this film, I felt conflicted. I found the idea of exposing all children to music and the arts, a great one. Yet giving them the one chance to perform with an orchestra only to go back to the same life in the slums, seems unfortunate to me. Director McCarthy does a good job in showing us both aspects of this issue, I think. Because as great as it is for these kids to have this opportunity, many of them will not have continued access to music classes or anything of the sort. Why I think this story is important is that it’s a story often overlooked in many parts of the world — how to bring music and arts to schools in impoverished areas of the world. The film itself is well organised and there is plenty to smile about and perhaps cry about. I recommend going to the film’s website to see the full trailer and also to donate, so this children continue to experience a bit of music in their lives.