Discovery Festival Favourite 2013 - Up And Away - School Screening
(Bekas)

Kurdistan, the early 1990s. While Saddam Hussein rules Iraq with an iron fist, the big question affecting Zana (age 7) and Dana (age 10) is how they are going to be able to see Superman at their local cinema. These two homeless brothers realise the cape-wearing superhero might just be the answer to all their problems and decide to seek him out in America. A lack of passports and money does not dampen their enthusiasm, and so begins the journey of a lifetime (on a donkey named Michael Jackson).

"Opens a window on a part of the world very rarely represented in such a positive, commonplace manner."

This crowd-pleasing first feature written and directed by Karzan Kader is based on his own experiences escaping war-torn Kurdistan on the first leg of a journey that eventually led him to Sweden. The importance of family ties amid the hardships of their surroundings is beautifully captured by the two young actors, and their unfailing humour acts as a key counterbalance to the potential tragedy of their situation. With stunning cinematography and a smart script, this film opens a window on a part of the world very rarely represented in such a positive, commonplace manner.

Dir: Karzan Kader
Sweden / Finland / Iraq 2012 / 1h32m / Age 12+
Kurdish with English subtitles

Resources by Andy McLaughlin

Available to stream/buy from Amazon Prime.