Karim (2007) User Reviews

Unforgettable.

[vickiwood-3 · 10/10 · 10 August 2008]

I'm not going to go into great depth here, just because I feel there are enough people already doing that. I will say that I really enjoyed this film - plain and simple.

When I spoke with the director after one of the screenings, he didn't seem overly thrilled with the outcome, but content nonetheless. I can't imagine the stress that comes with making a film dealing with heavy material like this. I think it's a testament to what he wants to do with his films, and I think he succeeded here.

Karim creates an atmosphere of tension, sadness and despair right from the beginning. A bleak film, which has little positivity in it. If anything, I would have liked to see something - even a glimmer of hope - in this story.

I think all the performances were pretty good, although the lead character did interest me most of all with his strong voice and emotion. It would have been nice to have seen more of the parents, but upon speaking with the director, he said he didn't include such scenes because he felt they took away focus and investment in Karim as a character, and complicated the story further - something he didn't feel right about doing when it came to a short. Upon viewing the scenes on his DVD, I think he made the right choice.

All in all, a great film and I look forward to seeing what this filmmaker does next!

Awesome short.

[archieducit · 10/10 · 26 October 2008]

I caught this short earlier this year amongst seeing some others that played alongside it at a festival in Toronto. Just an awesome film. I loved it! The scene that took place in the school washroom at the beginning, as well as the final confrontation between Karim and his parents were both done so nicely, in terms of composition and the way they were acted by all the performers. I thought the actor who played Karim was just amazing! I find it hard to believe that he hasn't been in more films, but I'm sure that will change in time! I thought both actors who played the parents were strong as well and that they're voices really added to the overall power of the film. A really good film that I strongly suggest everyone take a look at if you haven't seen it. I'm sure it's playing online somewhere!

A Solid Film

[rick_ulsman · 8/10 · 28 July 2008]

What separates Karim from the many other shorts in its similar position, is the effective set-up of an engaging confrontation and delivery of tension that many dramatic shorts often lack.

While far from perfect, in aspects such as performance and story, Karim does possess many positive qualities.

The film is beautifully shot for one. The aesthetics within each scene aid in the construction of an effective mood. Also, the performance of the lead is truly the most notable of the film and stands tall over other, somewhat bland, performances.

The writing it self could have also been stronger, with the cutting of some exposition and perhaps more concentration on setting Karim up to those final climactic moments.

All in all, a very effective and powerful film. I would say it was 'enjoyable', but I don't think it truly was. Somehow, I think that might be what the director wanted.

Excellent Performance By Kawas

[milindtproductions · 10/10 · 4 August 2008]

Kawas(Mukesh) played a very perfect and powerful part with matured and calm expressions and upto the mark as was required from the character perspective in the scenes.His delivery of dialogues questioning Nyla was very perfect with emotions and in-depth pain,stress and frustrations into it.

Director should have shown more performance of kawas and nyla as few very good expressions already came which would have add more to the film.

Also the role of kawas was played by a very experienced actor who hailed from the same institute of Barry John (Acting Guru Of India) which gave birth to the Top Bollywood Stars.

Nyla had done good supporting part and she would have done better expressions.

Karim was good and would have been little less loud and more natural as actually speaking kids are not that loud as is shown in this film.

After seeing this film in the short category out of as many as 30 Shorts, this was the best one.

Makeup and costumes in productions were lacking professionalism but considering this was the 1st project by the director we expect more good work to come in future from Yaz.

Aesthetic qualities save the film

[ron-cook-movies · 9/10 · 10 February 2009]

The first thing you'll realize while watching this short is how much better it could have been with improvements to story and performances.

The story is quite simple, yet powerful. Boy has inner-demons, suffers from parental abuse, and eventually acts out the behavior. It's nothing new to be honest. What could have made a world of difference would have been more scenes where Karim was at home - witnessing the abuse of his parents, or even being a part of the abuse in some way or another. It would have given the audience more of a chance to identify with what Karim was going through, and as a result, made his actions at the end of the film more believable (but never justified).The performances were also lacking a bit - on all levels. I thought the lead was decent. For a kid with some heavy subject material, he did well. But his performance could have had more depth. We didn't really get more than a glimpse of the parents - so I can't comment fairly on their performance. Overall, the performances could have been stronger. It's not all bad though. Karim is a really nice film to look at. The shots, the art direction, the scenes, the cutting... All those aesthetic qualities shine through. You can tell the Director has an eye for composition and creating dynamic images. The film sticks with you... It's an experience. Which more than I can say for a lot of other shorts out there.

A great short, but quite depressing.

[krkristenreeves20 · 10/10 · 29 July 2008]

While the short is quick and to the point, which works in both good and bad ways, what is done effectively above all else is the establishing of a mood.

I did not enjoy this film in the traditional sense of the word. It was far too abrasive and gripping. Nonetheless, I think it was meant to be. I did respect what it brought to the table. Both with is message, as well as the delivery. Note however, that this does not mean that I agree with the 'message' or execution of it by the protagonist (as many others at the screening agreed with), but there is a certain sense of truth to all of it. Which only ends up making it all the more shocking.

The director did a great job with the actors. I thought for the most part, all the performances were pretty solid and believable. Karim, of course, stands above the rest, but I suspect that would be the case given his character is the most fleshed out.

I would have loved to see further character development when it came to the parents. Other supporting roles, maybe not, but I felt the parents should have had more of a story to really drive home the reasoning of Karim. I felt that this short was almost too tight. Had the story consisted of further character development and complexity, I think it would have been much stronger.

Still, I felt the film is told through a unique manner, looks beautiful and has something many shorts or even features don't - emotion, strength and a message.

Why am I giving it 10/10? Simple, out of the 40+ shorts I saw at this festival, this is the only film where I can remember it almost shot for shot. I can't wait to see what this director does next.

The tension will leave you speechless.

[christina_smoore · 9/10 · 9 July 2008]

I caught Karim at last years Evil City Film Festival in New York City. While the film has its flaws, what is evident from the very beginning is that it sets a mood and evokes emotion. The director did a good job of maintaining tension within the film and its haunting story. Keeping it tight and on point.

On that same note however, I thought the story could have had more to it. Different factors that would have brought something new, exciting and unique to the film, rather than showing something that we've all kind of seen here and there before.

Ryan Persaud gives an amazing performance as the title character. That an actor of his young age can do so much through saying so little is really something to witness. The supporting actors could have been a bit better, and I feel that more time should have been giving to casting them - especially the parents - who sometimes felt wooden and hard to believe. Then again, the weaknesses of these characters on screen might be a result of the characters themselves, and how Yaz Rabadi, the writer and director of the film, has written them.

Overall, a great short film that will leave you speechless. Rabadi has successfully established a mood and tone of despair and sadness through this piece. Greater things can only follow.

Rating: 8/10

It was... okay.

[sexy_baby_wants_you · 8/10 · 1 August 2008]

While definitely not the strongest short I've scene, Karim had some endearing qualities working for it. First of all, the performance of the lead, Ryan Persaud, was very good. I think if it was not for his performance, the film would not fair nearly as well as it did and quite frankly, would not be taken as seriously.

I also thought that the way it was shot and edited, was relatively effective in trying to depict such a large subject in such a short time. The cinematography is truly beautiful in some scenes, and certain shots are in-your-face and engaging, which assists strongly in connecting with the viewer.

I didn't care too much for the story in it self unfortunately. It's tough to say, because it is difficult subject matter that the director is dealing with, and I don't think a short of 11 minutes is really adept to handling such large and heavy thematic elements. With that said - I do think for the time frame he was working with, it does a good job of moving the audience. It's unfortunate though, because I think the film has some really solid things going for it - but I can't ignore the fact that it sort of felt stuffed and bloated at times.

Rating: 7/10