Cinema Society

Salute to Jewish Film Festival/DOLPHIN BOY

Average
Rating

3.2

Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

4:30PM or 7:30pm (You Pick!)

Salute to the 22nd Anniversary of the San Diego Jewish Film Festival

DOLPHIN BOY

Discussion will follow screening

Reading Cinemas Town Square 14 Theatre

Salute to the 22nd Anniversary of the San Diego Jewish Film Festival

DOLPHIN BOY

The Cinema Society of San Diego is proud to salute the San Diego Jewish Film Festival, which celebrates its 22nd Anniversary this year. For the celebration, we are pleased to be presenting one of the many prestige films shown over their 12-day celebration.

DOLPHIN BOY

Morad - a teenager from an Arab village in the north of Israel disconnects himself from humans following a violent attack that he experienced. As a last resort before hospitalization in a Mental Institution, he is taken by his devoted father to be treated with Dolphins in Eilat. Morad starts speaking again after months of silence, but he erases his past and refuses to go home to his awaiting mother. This documentary about the devastating havoc that human violence can wreak upon the human soul, and about the healing powers of nature and of love, was filmed over the course of the past four years.

Running Time: 72 Minutes

Rated PG

PLEASE NOTE: DOLPHIN BOY is in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles.

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2-Feb-12: jh - Rating: 2

DOLPHIN BOY might have been titled UNDERWATER BOY. If any healing happened at the Red Sea resort of Eilat, I don’t think it was because of the dolphins. Morad seemed to love the water and the resort but I didn’t see a lot of bonding with dolphins. I felt it was more likely Morad healed because of the supportive community at the Dolphin Reef or, perhaps, just time.

2-Feb-12: Jan - Rating: 5

I'm giving Dolphin Boy a 5. First and foremost, doesn't it all come down to The Story? This was an important, poignant story, produced under less than ideal conditions for the filmmaker. As we discussed after the screening, he had to use amateur footage for several key parts of his documentary. I'm sure he would have loved to work with film of better production quality, but none of that mattered to me as the viewer. It was all about these people put in extraordinary circumstances. Of course, it was Morad's story. But I was mesmerized by the father. His devotion and dedication - in addition to his refusal to allow revenge - moved me deeply. I felt privileged to watch father and son at the campsite, where the father provided unwavering support despite unimaginable heartache. I have so much admiration for this filmmaker for piecing together a beautiful story. This film will stay with me, while some of the other things we've seen this year -- beautifully shot and produced -- are just a passing treat. Last night over dinner, I told my family, in depth, about Dolphin Boy. It gave us a great opportunity to discuss the 'never give up' concept and we debated the decision to refuse revenge. This is film making at its best -- it in its own way: to inspire debate and discussion and ultimately to share the human experience. Thanks for bringing this film to us, Andy.

1-Feb-12: Mroe - Rating: 4

Yes the quality of the film/camera was not great but being forewarned always helps instead of letting the film come off as something that it’s not. So that being said I watched the film for the story and the message….and I do NOT understand where Rich G was coming from, that statement about Morad was ludicrous! This film is about family, love, hope and sacrifice…religion, ethnicity, culture is irrelevant. One can only hope to be as fortunate to be cared about and loved as much as Morad was/is by his family.

1-Feb-12: Joan - Rating: 4

A heart warming documentary that examines the meaning of love, family and about the healing powers of nature . Morad and his father are both endearing characters.

Morad’s father refusal to stoop to violence to avenge his son is inspiring. His dedication to his son’s rehab is touching. I felt a relief as Morad becomes increasingly more himself with his ability to love again!

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31-Jan-12: Margaret Downing - Rating: 2

What a fascinating story! I admire the film makers for the risks they took on this one. Although some viewers were annoyed by the amateur footage included in the documentary, I think it added to its authenticity. All this being said: In my opinion, this film was tedious. I perked up whenever the father narrated. Repetitive scenes of swimming with dolphins soon lost their charm. I had the impression that after the screening tonight, viewers were much more curious about the brain wave therapy that ultimately helped Morad than they were about the dolphins.

31-Jan-12: RichG - Rating: 2

Were we really supposed to care about this self indulgent little p*#+k? If there is a "hero" here it's the father. Why did the documentarians even pick up on this subject? They could have done a million better things to do with their time and digital camera. Were we to believe the "bad guys" waited four years to be tried so Morad could testify? I must believe the Jewish Film Festival has better things to share.

31-Jan-12: susan - Rating: 4

A heart-felt documentary which was a little thin on some specifics but certainly moved right along. Let's hope Morad falls in love again! He had so much to deal with at such a young age it is a tribute to both him and those supporting him that he was able to get through to the other side.