Film tells story of outcast’s journey to acceptance
Jul 17, 2014 | 1766 views | 0 0 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend | print
In the film “The Rocket,” a boy who is believed to bring bad luck to those around him goes on a journey to find a new home and to prove he is not cursed. The film will be screened in Moab on Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at Star Hall, 125 E. Center St. “The Rocket” will be presented in Moab through a collaboration between the Utah Film Center and the Grand County Public Library.

Described as “gripping yet heart-warming,” the film traces the journey of Ahlo, who is blamed for a string of disasters that struck his community and is forced, along with his family, to seek a new home. Along the way, Ahlo meets a spirited orphan named Kia and her eccentric uncle, Purple — an ex-soldier who wears a purple suit, drinks rice wine and is obsessed with the singer James Brown. Kia and Purple join Ahlo and his family as they travel across Laos to make their new home.

In a last-ditch attempt to prove he is not cursed, Ahlo builds a giant explosive rocket and plans to enter it into the most lucrative but dangerous competition — the Rocket Festival.

According to the film’s website, the movie is one of the first feature films for international release set and shot in Laos.

Written and directed by Kim Mordaunt, “The Rocket” is the winner of Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor and the Audience Award at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival; and Best First Feature, the Amnesty International Prize, and the Crystal Bear at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival.
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.