Innocent Voices
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DVD details
Actor: Daniel Jiménez Cacho, Guillermo Rios, Jésus Ochoa, Ofelia Medina, Victor (Kino) GonzalezBrand: Warnervision
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 110 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: LIGHTYEAR VIDEO
Product features:
- Based on the true story of screenwriter Oscar Torres's embattled childhood in 1980's El Salvador, Innocent Voices is the poignant tale of Chava, an eleven-year-old boy. Chava suddenly becomes the "man of the house" in a time when the government's army is forcibly recruiting twelve year olds to battle against the peasant rebels of the FMLN. It is a story of life, love, the hope of peace, and the en
DVD Reviews of Innocent Voices
DVD Review: A Childhood Deranged by War
Summary: 5 Stars
"Innocent Voices" is a film about the harrowing impact of war on a young boy. The simple fact that Chava survives such a grueling childhood is a testimony to the personal courage of Chava himself. Based on a true story, Chava (the eleven year-old protagonist) uses his wits and blind luck to evade being inducted into the Salvadorean army to fight the peasant guerilla rebels.
The gifted young actor who plays Chava blends a mixture of horror and wonder to illustrate the traumatizing effects of war on his simple, humble life. He plays with his friends, courts a nice girl, and is constantly stressing his mother by wandering away in the middle of military invasions. Tension reigns as a quiet dinner can be interrupted by gunshots cracking and bullets smashing through windows, forcing Chava and his family to lay flat under beds to avoid being blown apart. One touching scene occurs when an uncle (from the guerilla resistance) visits and warfare breaks out just beyond their porch step. The uncle calms the terrified family by strumming a soothing tune on his guitar while laying on his back, shrapnel whining overhead in a disturbing cacophony.
There are many memorable scenes. A priest tries to maintain his integrity as acts of immorality threaten to overwhelm him. A delayed man with the mind of a child commits an act of bravery that earns a brutal punishment later. Kids run around playing hide-and-seek and then find the game taking a traumatic turn as they flee from rampaging soldiers who want to recruit them. Chava is nearly snared by death many times as he ventures into harm's path in a way that suggests he has lived in a battleground far too long.
He shows a rebellious spirit by playing a "banned" radio song in front of lounging soldiers when he is angry at them. Another time, he plays a disco song and dances in front of them, a scene I found to be funnier and more inspired than the humor in most modern comedies. When he and his friends are playing by the river and a young soldier flaunts his newfound firepower, shooting a rifle into the air, one can sense Chava wondering if he is being a coward by not joining the army. The other kids are both awed and intimidated by the young soldier's brashness. It's a relief that Chava realizes that war will only shatter his life and he resists being "used" by men who think it's acceptable to turn little kids into killing machines.
Some say this film is a piece of propaganda accusing the U.S. of supplying weapons to the Salvadorean army and training their soldiers. Others say it is lopsided, lionizing the guerillas and showing only their point of view. Many will claim it is too depressing. I disagree. There are surprising moments of humor that distract from the horrors of war. Throughout it all, the children only want to live normal lives, and they struggle to retain their innocence by taking the artillery strikes in stride. I don't think the film is propaganda, I think it's educational. If I was an eleven year-old living in El Salvador at this time, I wouldn't care who was right, I would simply want the battle that is tearing my village apart to end. I think the goal it to show Chava's perspective. He endures hardships that rupture the foundation of who's right or wrong and sends out a heartbreaking plea of surrender if this will make the carnage end.
Description of Innocent Voices
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