Horst_In_Translation Review of Strangers No More

Strangers No More (2010)

Generic feel-good material instead of a powerful statement

[4/10 · 24 April 2018]

"Strangers No More" is a 40-minute documentary from 2010 that after some unsuccessful attempts brought directors Goodman and Simon (also spouses) eventually their Oscar. You don't see it too often though that a film wins an Oscar, but does not have another award or nomination just like this one here. Anyway, this is about an Israeli school, in which many many young children from all over the world are united, mostly from crisis countries, and the film mostly elaborates on how these children manage to learn a common language that helps them not only communicate verbally with their teachers, but also with each other obviously. A nice title reference in fact. And an interesting subject too. But I found the execution in detail so disappointing here. The film loses itself in random sequences many times that feel slightly staged and scripted when we see the school employees talk to parents of these kids for examply, of new comer kids. Or the music scenes near the end, which added absolutely nothing positive. The consequence is that this film which could have been a quality documentary at 90 minutes too never really gets under the surface and really never manages to make the statement or provide the insight that it could have. The subject, i.e. this school, definitely deserved better in my opinion. Quite a pity and I must say I cannot agree with the Oscar win here really. I would even say there's a good chance I'd eventually call it the weakest Best Documentary Short nominee from its year and it was so sad how this film really wanted to make an emotional statement at times, but came oh so short. Thumbs down. Watch something else instead.