Killer Kid

Rating:
Summary: A powerful insight into the world of the child militia
Review: KILLER KID - 1994 - Dir Gilles de Maistre

Reviewed by Ollie - Dec 17th 2003

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Looking at the title of film, and reading the back of dvd box, one could easily be forgiven for thinking this is a second rate film, with an implausible plot of a kid sent to assassinate the President of France. It has the sound of a film which would be the antithesis of Agent Cody Banks.

Titles and introductions are where the world of Hollywood and this film dramatically part company. This is an eyeopening film, offering a valuable, if unsettling, insight into the world of the child soldiers. Set in Lebanon, it begins with the indoctrination of Djilali, capably played by Teufik Jallab, into the world of the militia.

This is a world where children are taught to fight, and die, for the beliefs imposed on them. Their training is brutal and unforgiving, and this is reflected with an accuracy that chills to the bone.

Dijilali is chosen to undertake a mission. To stay with, and learn about a young boy, Karim, as whom he will pose. His ultimate goal, the assassination of the French Premier.

Karim (Younesse Boudache), again played with considerable passion, is an Arabian child living in poverty in Paris. He knows nothing of terrorism, child soldiers and the horror that awaits him. His world consists of petty crime, skateboarding and rap music. These children's lives could not be more diametrically opposed. Dijilali's mission is simple. Learn about this boy, become the boy and carry out his sacred duty. However an unlikely friendship develops, and we are given an insight into the nightmares Dijilali suffers as Karim comforts him.
As the bonds of friendship grow, and the mission draws ever closer, Dijilali is forced to choose between his newfound, and only true friend, or his mission, his duty, his honour.

Throughout this bonding there is an unerring sadness, tinged with gentle humour, and ultimately terror.

I mentioned Dijilali's nightmares. These are our nightmares. These two completely disparate worlds, collide an unlikely way. There are no happy endings. This isn't Hollywood, and it isn't the sort of film you can walk away from and easily forget. This is a haunting and genuinely powerful insight into a world we still know so little about. Performances are commanding, and the sadness in the eyes of the children is convincing it makes very uneasy viewing.

This is another astonishing effort from the studios of "Tales from the Orphanage", and one that is an essential piece of cinema. Both educational and depressing, this powerful film demands your attention, and once seen will stay in your mind and hearts for life....

10/10 for the movie, 7/10 for the DVD.
The quality of the DVD is reasonable, although it should be noted that halfway through the 5.1 soundtrack loses synchronicity with the picture, and it is better viewed in the normal stereo mode. While subtitled, this is noticeable, and is really the only fault I can find.

Reviewers sub-notes

Killer Kid and the previously reviewed "Abandoned" are two of the most powerful films I have ever seen. They offer an incredible insight into a life that we, as Westerners, rarely see, and demonstrate how complacent we are about our own freedom and decadence. These films are not merely entertainment, and they certainly won't appeal to everyone. There is more horror in these stories than in any "proper" Hollywood horror film. True horror surrounds us every day, and for the most part goes ignored. That horror is the way our children, our FUTURE are condemned to lives of subservience, obedience, neglect and brutal cruelty.

It is sad that films like this need to made at all, but the fact they exist is a testament to the forgotten children who the world leaves behind. People NEED to see films like these. We all need our eyes opening to the real horror that surrounds us every day. Only then can we appreciate the liberties and freedom we enjoy as opposed to taking our lives for granted.