the_rocket_tribeca_film_still_a_lThe Rocket was an interesting look at a child’s perspective as his family is forced from their rural home and their difficult journey for a new home.  When Mali gives birth to twins (one survives and the other is stillborn), the local custom dictates that the living one must be killed as well since he is cursed.  However, Mali stands up to her mother and spares the child’s life, begging that no one finds out.  The grown child, Ahlo, lives in a lush jungle village with his parents and grandmother.  He has a fishing business selling to the local market.  One day, Ahlo travels with his father to nearby dam.  Ahlo’s village is in the path of the next dam and the whole village will be relocated to a new moden community.  During their journey, Ahlo’s curse starts to strike as Mali is killed when the family attempts to take Ahlo’s boat with them.  When the remaining family reaches their new village, they find a trash strewn wasteland.  The dam compnay has not completed the community where they are supposed to live.  Ahlo makes a new friend throguh Kia, a young orphaned girl who lives with her James Brown look alike uncle, known as Purple.  When Ahlo’s family is forced to leave, they start out of journey that only cements Ahlo’s curse with his father and grandmother.  Their last hope rests on the family winning a rocket contest or they will be forced to move to the city.

The displacement of Ahlo’s family from their village was shown in an interesting way.  When they first arrive at the camp site, the villagers are told not to panic and that construction has just been slowed down.  When ahlo is being shown around by Kia, you can see the difference between the two children.  Kia quickly points out that Ahlo should not attempt to drink from the stream with is covered in trash.  They have a small fight when she tells to move away due the mosquito.  While Ahlo is making friends and having fun exploring the campsite, you can see the worry and doubt on his father’s face.  The element of war quickly appears as Purple, a solider in the war, shows Ahlo an old warhead near the village.  When the group travels to Purple’s village in search of a new home, they are forced to leave when they find the ground covered in fruit shaped bombs. 

Ahlo is able to redeem himself in the end and his family finds a new home.

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