Set in 1980's El Salvador, where a boy's twelfth birthday enlists him automatically in the army, Kella struggles to protect her family in the middle of a civil war. Kella's son, Chava, spends his 11th year chasing a first love, shielding siblings from bullets, testing his mother, and taking on the role of his absent father.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hap Erstein
"...gives the emotions quite a workout." more...
B-
Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert
"The movie is effective without being overwhelming." more...
B
Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
"...an unusually beautiful-looking movie about an ugly, painful subject: the effects of war and violence on children." more...
B
Hollywood Reporter, Kirk Honeycutt
"...a riveting tale of survival..." more...