By Yvonne Greenberg
LA JOLLA, California — Dolphin Boy is an endearing yet heart-breaking film which left me feeling upbeat. Dolphin therapy helps the main character recover his lost communication skills.
The plot reveals a deep love for family, boyfriend, and girlfriend, and a newly acquired one for dolphins.
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Morad, an Israeli-Arab teen, receives a severe beating from a gang, which left him without speech four years ago. Dad takes over. Father and son’s first appointment is with a physician specializing in post-traumatic disassociation. To no avail.
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Morad, an Israeli-Arab teen, receives a severe beating from a gang, which left him without speech four years ago. Dad takes over. Father and son’s first appointment is with a physician specializing in post-traumatic disassociation. To no avail.
No speech from Morad. Dad has even tried having picnics with guests and guitar music. Sadly, he tells his friends that he feels as if he has lost a son.
Dad is advised to take his son to a mental institution. A resolute NO from Papa! Instead, he takes his son to Eilat to the dolphin reef to observe the very communicative and highly intelligent dolphins. Morad seems to observe them all the time, but unfortunately, they don’t come his way. The post-traumatic disassociation is still in place.
After four days, however, the situation changes.
San Diego premiere: Dolphin Boy (Dani Menkin, Yonaton Nir/Israel/2011/72min/Hebrew/Documentary) will be shown at the Clairemont Reading 14 on Thur., Feb. 16 at 1 p.m.. It will also be shown at the Edwards San Marcos on Sun., Feb. 19 at 12:30 p.m.. It will be shown with Pinhas.
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Greenberg is a freelance writer based in La Jolla. She may be contacted at yvonne.greenberg@sdjewishworld.com