The storyline follows an 11-year-old girl who is stranded on an evergreen island after a man-made disaster from an atomic bomb explosion decimates the island. She has to find the will to leave the island with the help of an unlikely friend.
There is an explosion at the beginning of the film, which comes from the explosion of an atomic bomb. Afterwards, the girls' grandpa gets sick and passes away. The young girl, Ava (Maia Ann Pu-uwai), learns to survive on her own but she is eventually she gets sick as well. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the girl with her grandpa - it gives us insight into what their relationship was like and how important he was to her. After he passes, I was really afraid for her. We all know the danger of nuclear fallout and we know that it is only a matter of time before it affected her. I really enjoyed how the stingray helps her. Her childhood stuffed animal was a stingray and it is sort of her totem animal it seems, as it guides her in unspoken ways. The stingray helps her in many ways, both the live one and the stuffed toy - the symbolism of the stuffed toy sinking after she is rescued is starkly accurate. I have to give credit to this young girl, Maia Ann Pu'uwai and the actor that plays her grandpa, Romeo Garcia, for their excellent acting. Also, the director, Kateryna Kurganska, for her grasp of capturing a moment in time that is heartbreaking. The camera work is outstanding, as is the editing. The opening scene is exceptionally well shot and edited. It sets up the film for what is to come and gives us a premonition of the tragedy about to happen. The flashbacks to the explosion help us understand more about exactly what happened. I was aware of these bomb tests back in 1946 and 1958, but we were led to believe that no one lived on these islands. Another aspect of the film that stands out is the musical score, which is off the charts spectacular. As Ava realizes that she has to leave the island, we feel the emotional impact of letting go of her treasured past, even when faced by the necessity of doing so. My favorite part is the suspense at when Ava gets stuck on the rock trying to get Mr. Fish.
The film's message is about the tragedy of having to leave your home and leaving part of yourself behind. The filmmaker is a Ukrainian refugee who had to leave her home and you can feel how this film resonates with the loss of something you'll never replace.
Be forewarned that the grandpa dies in the movie which could be a sensitive topic to some children. Other than that the movie is kid friendly.
I give Two Breaths 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Janie R. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
The storyline follows an 11-year-old girl who is stranded on an evergreen island after a man-made disaster from an atomic bomb explosion decimates the island. She has to find the will to leave the island with the help of an unlikely friend.
There is an explosion at the beginning of the film, which comes from the explosion of an atomic bomb. Afterwards, the girls' grandpa gets sick and passes away. The young girl, Ava (Maia Ann Pu-uwai), learns to survive on her own but she is eventually she gets sick as well. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the girl with her grandpa - it gives us insight into what their relationship was like and how important he was to her. After he passes, I was really afraid for her. We all know the danger of nuclear fallout and we know that it is only a matter of time before it affected her. I really enjoyed how the stingray helps her. Her childhood stuffed animal was a stingray and it is sort of her totem animal it seems, as it guides her in unspoken ways. The stingray helps her in many ways, both the live one and the stuffed toy - the symbolism of the stuffed toy sinking after she is rescued is starkly accurate. I have to give credit to this young girl, Maia Ann Pu'uwai and the actor that plays her grandpa, Romeo Garcia, for their excellent acting. Also, the director, Kateryna Kurganska, for her grasp of capturing a moment in time that is heartbreaking. The camera work is outstanding, as is the editing. The opening scene is exceptionally well shot and edited. It sets up the film for what is to come and gives us a premonition of the tragedy about to happen. The flashbacks to the explosion help us understand more about exactly what happened. I was aware of these bomb tests back in 1946 and 1958, but we were led to believe that no one lived on these islands. Another aspect of the film that stands out is the musical score, which is off the charts spectacular. As Ava realizes that she has to leave the island, we feel the emotional impact of letting go of her treasured past, even when faced by the necessity of doing so. My favorite part is the suspense at when Ava gets stuck on the rock trying to get Mr. Fish.
The film's message is about the tragedy of having to leave your home and leaving part of yourself behind. The filmmaker is a Ukrainian refugee who had to leave her home and you can feel how this film resonates with the loss of something you'll never replace.
Be forewarned that the grandpa dies in the movie which could be a sensitive topic to some children. Other than that the movie is kid friendly.
I give Two Breaths 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Janie R. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
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