Early 90's Iraq; Saddam Hussein's regime has put great pressure on the Kurdish region of Iraq. Two homeless Kurdish brothers see Superman on the city's first cinema and decide to go to America. To get there, they need passports, money, a donkey called Michael Jackson and a lot of luck. Unfortunately they have neither, but they still start their journey towards the dream of America and of freedom…

Subtitled.

Awards

• Dubai International Film Festival 2012 – Won People's Choice Award, Nominated for Best Film – Feature

Bekas Review

"Not every kid wants to be a superhero; Zana (Zamand Taha) and Dana (Sarwar Fazil) just want to be Superman’s friends. The time is 1990, and the place is Iraq, under Saddam Hussein’s rule, where the orphaned Kurdish siblings beg and borrow for their meagre experience. Then, in a stolen glance through the dirty window of a cinema, they discover Christopher Reeve and the character that established his fame. Suddenly, they pine for his company to improve their plight, their youthful dream inspiring a cross-continental adventure to find their idol in the idyllic land they call America.

Adapting his 2010 short of the same name, writer/director Karzan Kader (The Last Four) crafts a deeply moving contemplation of life under oppressive circumstances, yet never wallows in misery. Instead, the reality of a dictatorial regime is just that, providing an obstacle for his resourceful, determined heroes to conquer. The scenario is slight, but everything soars with spirit – from the charismatic performances of the leads, returning to the roles, to the expansive backdrop that teases with its vastness, to the tonal balance of hope and hostility. Tension seethes as the feature reaches towards its conclusion, as does passion; in fitting with its super symbol, the outcome turns boys into heroes." au.artshub.com