A Time For Drunken Horses (2000)

Directed by Bahman Ghobadi, A Time for Drunken Horses stars Ayoub Ahmadi, Rojin Younessi, Amaneh Ekhtiar-dini, and Madi Ekhtiar-dini. Each of these children use their real first name in the film, in which Ayoub plays a young boy who suddenly is thrust into paternity. He and his eldest sister, Rojin, combine efforts in order to take care of their sickly brother, Madi. This film gives up a glimpse into the lives of Kurdish children who are just a few of the many Kurds plagued by invisible boundaries drawn by authoritarian governments. Although they're all Kurds in the area, they must smuggle goods back and forth as some live in Iraq, and the others live in Iran.

This movie is particularly dark, yet offers a tiny bit of humor. One will find their heart warmed by scenes where the siblings display their love for one another, yet that will quickly end when the children are confronted on all sides by difficulties from adults who one would think would have mercy on children. This cutthroat world of survival first is poignantly exhibited for the world to see.

While this movie leaves the viewer hoping, the outlook is pretty dim. I would not recommend anyone watch this with children, even though there is no violence or bad language. The content and issues dealt with in this film are far too serious for a child to be exposed to.

On a side note, I would like bring up the fact that some of the comments and plot synopses on this movie state that Madi is the youngest of the children, however in the movie Ayoub says that he is 15. I believe Madi to actually be the oldest, but being developmentally challenged has not only physically crippled him, but mentally as well.