Search - Delbaran on DVD

Truly Seeing the Rough-and-Tumble Life of a Refugee Is Spiri

David Crumm | Canton, Michigan | 01/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seeing the world. Truly seeing the world. That's an enormous spiritual challenge these days.

We think we're holding the world in our palm 24-7 these days with our Web-enabled wireless gizmos, but the truth is: Our vision is fading. Not only are traditional news networks cutting back all around the world, but the tidal wave of media most of us consume is pretty much a hodge-podge of American popular culture.

One group consistently working against that tidal wave is the Facets team, which does a lot to improve Americans' global vision. They host the Chicago international children's film festival. And, even in very tight economic times, they keep bringing us important films from around the world.

"Delbaran" is a great example. Produced in Iran in 2001 and recently brought to DVD for American viewers by Facets, "Delbaran" tells the story of a young boy trying to escape the ravages of war in Afghanistan by crossing the border into Iran. There, he finds himself living by his wits in a strange oasis -- a coffee shop and truck stop at the Delbaran border crossing.

The drama is shot in a documentary style that gives us a compelling feel for what life is like for so many of our neighbors living in that part of the world. I wound up watching portions of the film twice because the scenes were so intriguing. These images of the rough-and-tumble challenges of refugee life will stick with me for a long time.

Consider watching this film in your small group and talking about it afterward."