Watch Zozo

Zozo is a touching, poignant film directed by Lebanese-Swedish filmmaker Josef Fares, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005, where it received critical acclaim. The movie follows the journey of a young boy named Zozo, played by Imad Creidi, as he navigates the horrors of war and struggles to find his place in the world.

Set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1980s, the film explores the devastating impact of violence and conflict on innocent civilians. The opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the movie, as Zozo, a happy-go-lucky child, experiences the shocking death of his parents and younger sister in the bombing of their home. This tragic event shatters Zozo's world and leaves him traumatized and alone.

Zozo is forced to flee his home and takes refuge with his grandparents in a remote village in Lebanon. His grandparents are loving and caring, but struggle to understand the psychological scars that Zozo carries with him. They try to provide him with a sense of normality, but Zozo is haunted by his past and struggles to connect with the other children in the village.

As the war rages on, Zozo continues to face new challenges and tragedies. He is conscripted into the army by mistake, which leads him on a perilous journey across borders and through refugee camps. Along the way, he meets a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories of loss and resilience. Zozo's experiences push him to the brink of despair, but also allow him to grow and find strength within himself.

One of the film's most powerful threads is the relationship between Zozo and his grandfather, played by Elias Gergi. Gergi gives a heart-wrenching performance as a man who loves his grandson dearly but struggles to overcome his own trauma from the war. The scenes between Zozo and his grandfather are emotionally charged and show the complexity of intergenerational trauma.

Another standout performance comes from Antoinette Turk, who plays Aunties, a tough-talking refugee who acts as a surrogate mother figure to Zozo. Her character provides a much-needed contrast to the often somber tone of the film and brings a sense of humour and lightness to some of the darker moments.

The cinematography in Zozo is stunning, capturing the rural landscape of Lebanon in all its beauty and brutality. The use of natural light and realism keeps the film grounded in the reality of war and refugee life. The score, composed by Fares himself, is also a highlight, with haunting melodies that accentuate the emotional resonance of the story.

Overall, Zozo is a deeply moving film that presents a humanistic portrait of war and trauma. Fares' storytelling is compassionate and nuanced, avoiding easy sentimentality or sensationalism. The movie is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Zozo is a must-see for anyone interested in the human cost of conflict, and the transformative power of empathy and compassion in the face of trauma.