For a Better Life 2018
Distributed by Alexander Street Press, 350 7th Ave/Ste 1100, New York, NY 10001
Produced by Yasmin Mistry
Directed by Yasmin Mistry
Streaming, 10 mins
High School - General Adult
Adoption; Child Abuse; Family Relations
Date Entered: 09/28/2020
Reviewed by Stephanie L. Barrett, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Outreach Librarian (Anthropology, Public Health, Linguistics, ASL, Environmental Humanities), University of RochesterFor a Better Life is a short-animated documentary film telling the story of Fekri, a boy sold by his mother at age 5 in order to escape the abuse and lack of opportunities that would be available to him in Tunisia. His physical abuse was continued by his adoptive mother, culminating in Fekri being hospitalized after a severe beating and his adoptive mother being imprisoned. Alone in a country whose language he didn’t speak, Fekri is full of rage. He begins his journey of healing with years of therapy, along the way discovering his voice through poetry, and eventually reconnects with and forgives his birth mother.
The story of Fekri is a powerful one, told in his own words and brought to life in striking illustrations created by lead illustrator Hathaison Gerdprasert. Interspersed throughout the film is an engaging soundtrack of spoken work poetry and rap music, perfectly reflecting and amplifying the visual aspects of the film. Depictions of the abuse Fekri suffered were not explicit, however could be disturbing to younger viewers so is not recommended for children in middle school and younger. Director Yasmin Mistry presents the events shaping Fekri’s life in a solidly chronological fashion leading to a clear narrative of how years of abuse can be overcome through therapy and forgiveness.
Awards:
Golden Fox Award, Dox on the Fox, Documentary Short Film Festival, 2020; Special Mention Award, BigSyn Film Festival, 2019; Best Documentary Short, Syracuse International Film Festival, 2019; Best Documentary Short, Runner-Up, Children’s Rights Film Festival, 2019; Best Documentary, Winner, Best Director of a Documentary, Nominee, Revolution Me Film Festival, 2019; Best Animation Short: Winner, Best Documentary: Nominee, Westfield International Film Festival, 2019; Audience Choice: 2nd Place, Mountain Shadow Short Film Competition, 2019; Honorable Mention, LA Underground Film Festival, 2019; Best Short Documentary, Lighthouse International Film Festival, 2019; Honorable Mention: Best Animation, Katra Film Series, 2019; Honorable Mention: Animated Short, SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival, 2019; Shoestring Trophy, Rochester International Film Festival, 2019; Black Feather Award, Blackbird Film Festival, 2019; President's Award, WiFi Film Festival, 2019; Audience Award: Best in Show, Chicago Feminist Film Festival, 2019; Best Director of a Documentary Short, Winner, Queens World Film Festival, 2019; Best Film: Family & Home, Marcellus Mini Movie Family Film Festival, 2018; Best Documentary Short, St. Louis Filmmaker's Showcase