Off the Road

The immense challenge of a short film is in telling a complete, fully-fleshed story in a brief period of time - and the filmmakers do this in under a half hour, in the case of Off the Road (Sortie de Route), and quite elegantly. Two rowdy boys from disparate backgrounds (Paul and Karim, played with shocking authenticity by Benjamin Eggenberg and Samir Melly) find they have a lot more in common than is apparent at first glance. It might sound like a story we've seen told many times - and it is, as it's a classic tale - but it's told with such heart and truth that it transcends expectations. Sortie de Route avoids a lot of coming-of-age tropes by remaining true to its characters - they drive the story more than the reverse. The innate talent in these young actors is one of the most pleasant surprises of the film. And that's why I was left wanting more. Wanting to stay with these kids and see what their next adventure would reveal. The relevance of this story, and the lessons that kids can teach adults, is palpable throughout. There's never been a better time for a film like Sortie de Route.