A used smart phone sends a boy, Amin, in rural Iran on an unexpected journey of reconnecting an estranged couple.
Well-constructed, with good camera work, audio and casting. This very contemporary storyline is one that could take place pretty much anywhere in the world today, as it shows how smart phones have affected people globally. This film makes me very sad, by how the young boy, Amin, is lied to by an older man when he gifts him with a smart phone. Amin slowly begins to figure out that the phone was stolen, but he loves his phone and is obsessed with taking pictures with it. He begins to do his math homework on his phone until a text message appears that solidifies his suspicion about the phone's origin. Amin finally confronts his friend about the phone's origin and ends up in a tricky situation as he tries to return the phone at last. The cinematography is quite beautiful, especially the landscape shots. Mohammad Amin Mohammadi, who plays Amin, steals the show. He plays the young boy in a very understated, but strong way. The dialogue is in Persian with English subtitles, which are not always accurately spelled.
The film's message is that sometimes a gift isn't a gift, especially when you don't know its origins. I give Silkworm 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It would play well at a teen/young adult film festival and could be a great discussion starter. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
A used smart phone sends a boy, Amin, in rural Iran on an unexpected journey of reconnecting an estranged couple.
Well-constructed, with good camera work, audio and casting. This very contemporary storyline is one that could take place pretty much anywhere in the world today, as it shows how smart phones have affected people globally. This film makes me very sad, by how the young boy, Amin, is lied to by an older man when he gifts him with a smart phone. Amin slowly begins to figure out that the phone was stolen, but he loves his phone and is obsessed with taking pictures with it. He begins to do his math homework on his phone until a text message appears that solidifies his suspicion about the phone's origin. Amin finally confronts his friend about the phone's origin and ends up in a tricky situation as he tries to return the phone at last. The cinematography is quite beautiful, especially the landscape shots. Mohammad Amin Mohammadi, who plays Amin, steals the show. He plays the young boy in a very understated, but strong way. The dialogue is in Persian with English subtitles, which are not always accurately spelled.
The film's message is that sometimes a gift isn't a gift, especially when you don't know its origins. I give Silkworm 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It would play well at a teen/young adult film festival and could be a great discussion starter. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
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