All four of my grandparents hail from Lebanon so this warm and engaging film really hit home with me. I was never able to take my grandparents back to Lebanon because the civil war was going on. This film makes it clear how horrible and wrenching that civil war was. Zozo is an 11 year old boy who lives with his parents and two siblings in an apartment in Beirut. Just as his family is able to flee Beirut tragedy strikes. Zozo finds solace in a talking chicken (trust me-- it works) and a young girlfriend. He finds peace and nurturing in Sweden with his beloved grandparents but is still in many ways an outcast. The film tells a beautiful, heartwarming story.
25 Reviews
Passionate and personal. The sound track is captivating and bone chilling
yc95525 November 2007
The plot is rather predictable and on the simplistic side, whether it's the accidental tragedy of Zozo's family, or his later cultural shock. The acting and cast are good. But I was especially spell bounded by the music and the photography of the film. The film looks low budget and didn't pretend to be otherwise. But it attempted to draw on its strength in the forgotten tragedy in Lebanon and the strong acting and cinematography. And movie succeeded for the most part IMHO. As I was watching the film, I couldn't help but thinking in the back of my head of the more recent tragedy in southern Lebanon, perhaps more death and destruction this time around? How many Zozo were created this time? Marx said that history repeats itself the first time is tragedy, the second time farce. To those who were unfortunate enough to be part of it, it always will be just tragedy.
It's Good but Could Have been Much Better!
Faisal_Flamingo10 November 2006
This movie isn't bad nor great. A Swedish friend of mine gave me the movie to watch and it was the 1st Joseph Fares' movie that I've seen .. according to my Swedish friend; he liked the movie but he believes it isn't his best.
While I was watching the movie I felt I'm back to Beirut again which I visited in the summer of 2005 .. and naturally because Joseph has Lebanese roots he is capable of showing it realistically even much more better than most of Arabian movies.
The problem to me is .. that movie isn't clear .. I mean what's the point exactly? .. not that the movie isn't well made or unbalanced .. it is well made and well balanced but sometimes you get the feeling that the movie is just an empty beautiful picture! Because it doesn't go deep enough. Compare "Zozo" to "West Beirut" and maybe you will know what I mean.
Imad Creidi gave a very good performances .. Carmen Lebbos was good .. the rest were also good.
I believe this movie is good .. it has a good message but fails to show the message in the best way.
Joseph Fares did an amazing job especially on cinematography and I think has a good potential to make a few great movies in the future .. I hope I can see other movies for Joseph Fares like "Jalla Jalla!" and "Kopps".
While I was watching the movie I felt I'm back to Beirut again which I visited in the summer of 2005 .. and naturally because Joseph has Lebanese roots he is capable of showing it realistically even much more better than most of Arabian movies.
The problem to me is .. that movie isn't clear .. I mean what's the point exactly? .. not that the movie isn't well made or unbalanced .. it is well made and well balanced but sometimes you get the feeling that the movie is just an empty beautiful picture! Because it doesn't go deep enough. Compare "Zozo" to "West Beirut" and maybe you will know what I mean.
Imad Creidi gave a very good performances .. Carmen Lebbos was good .. the rest were also good.
I believe this movie is good .. it has a good message but fails to show the message in the best way.
Joseph Fares did an amazing job especially on cinematography and I think has a good potential to make a few great movies in the future .. I hope I can see other movies for Joseph Fares like "Jalla Jalla!" and "Kopps".
sad, beautiful film. zoze! I love you!
jsh-1219 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
beautiful and sad film.
I like this film. I watched this film here in vaxjo, Sweden. I came from south Korea to here as an exchange student, free mover. and I began to know friends from all over the world. one of them is from Lebanon, his name is hamody.
This film reminds me his name to me.
And it was so sad to see the Lebanon through the film. Actually I am not sure how this film represent about the nowadays real Lebanon but I guess it is not that different.
The one thing that this film really makes me sad is the protagonist, zozo is just a young little boy who are full of weak and soft senses that needs to be protected. But unfortunately he need to protect himself by his own strength. But fortunately he went to the right way that gives him a real strength and power to live.
I really like the scene that he suppose to fight with the elder Swedish boys who bitten him before. He could have fight with him that means start to learn violence not peace. and there is one another way to solve his problem just like the war. and his mother came up at that time with some bombs in the Swedish school. and he says that 'why did you leave me?' that words really makes me sad and come out of some tears as well. yes he was just like that age who need mom and family's love as well. But at that time they all died only except him. But our zozo refuse to fight with those stupid elder guys and just leave them with his own friend who also has problem with his father who are violent.
I think I learn some more other people's harsh life here in Sweden and also get some precious words from their life. This film also gave me those kind of words as well. That's why I like this film.
I like this film. I watched this film here in vaxjo, Sweden. I came from south Korea to here as an exchange student, free mover. and I began to know friends from all over the world. one of them is from Lebanon, his name is hamody.
This film reminds me his name to me.
And it was so sad to see the Lebanon through the film. Actually I am not sure how this film represent about the nowadays real Lebanon but I guess it is not that different.
The one thing that this film really makes me sad is the protagonist, zozo is just a young little boy who are full of weak and soft senses that needs to be protected. But unfortunately he need to protect himself by his own strength. But fortunately he went to the right way that gives him a real strength and power to live.
I really like the scene that he suppose to fight with the elder Swedish boys who bitten him before. He could have fight with him that means start to learn violence not peace. and there is one another way to solve his problem just like the war. and his mother came up at that time with some bombs in the Swedish school. and he says that 'why did you leave me?' that words really makes me sad and come out of some tears as well. yes he was just like that age who need mom and family's love as well. But at that time they all died only except him. But our zozo refuse to fight with those stupid elder guys and just leave them with his own friend who also has problem with his father who are violent.
I think I learn some more other people's harsh life here in Sweden and also get some precious words from their life. This film also gave me those kind of words as well. That's why I like this film.
Great film
nathan-mikhael21 April 2012
The movie deals with the agony of a young Lebanese boy who witnesses the death of his family and is when he is finally sent to live in Sweden with his grandparents, finds himself out-casted in a foreign society.
Josef Fares, cleverly represents the Lebanse society living through a horrible situation. The characterization and narrative allow the audience to strongly connect with the film as it something that we as Lebanese feel deeply connected with, having being affected by the civil war in one way or another.
From the technical side, the cinematography and use of visual effects were very well done again, inviting the audience into the world of the film. As an aspiring Lebanese filmmaker, it gives me a great feeling to know that there are talented Lebanese filmmakers all over the whole who still believe and are devoted to developing the Lebanese film industry. I strongly applaud director Josef Fares and I look forward to watching more of his films.
Josef Fares, cleverly represents the Lebanse society living through a horrible situation. The characterization and narrative allow the audience to strongly connect with the film as it something that we as Lebanese feel deeply connected with, having being affected by the civil war in one way or another.
From the technical side, the cinematography and use of visual effects were very well done again, inviting the audience into the world of the film. As an aspiring Lebanese filmmaker, it gives me a great feeling to know that there are talented Lebanese filmmakers all over the whole who still believe and are devoted to developing the Lebanese film industry. I strongly applaud director Josef Fares and I look forward to watching more of his films.
Seattle International Film Festival - David Jeffers for SIFFblog.com
rdjeffers21 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Sunday May 28, 9:15pm Pacific Place
Saturday June 3, 4:30pm Lincoln Square
Eleven-year-old Zozo is more interested in palling around with his buddies and getting into mischief than in the chaos and death of warring Beirut, consuming his family with fear. On the day they are leaving for Sweden and his Grandparents, a bomb kills all but his brother and soon, Zozo is alone and crying, hiding in the dark from guerillas. His only connection is a foundling chick that speaks to him in a calm voice, "Come, lets go to Sweden." "What are the girls like there?" Zozo survives the nightmare with help, and flies to his Grandma and Grandpa. Gradually they overcome their grief and Zozo thrives in his yammering, energetic and funny new family. "Apples with salt?" He dreams of his mother and carries a burden of sadness few will ever know. Zozo beautifully illustrates the resiliency of a child's mind and the instinct to heal oneself and survive.
Saturday June 3, 4:30pm Lincoln Square
Eleven-year-old Zozo is more interested in palling around with his buddies and getting into mischief than in the chaos and death of warring Beirut, consuming his family with fear. On the day they are leaving for Sweden and his Grandparents, a bomb kills all but his brother and soon, Zozo is alone and crying, hiding in the dark from guerillas. His only connection is a foundling chick that speaks to him in a calm voice, "Come, lets go to Sweden." "What are the girls like there?" Zozo survives the nightmare with help, and flies to his Grandma and Grandpa. Gradually they overcome their grief and Zozo thrives in his yammering, energetic and funny new family. "Apples with salt?" He dreams of his mother and carries a burden of sadness few will ever know. Zozo beautifully illustrates the resiliency of a child's mind and the instinct to heal oneself and survive.
Loud explosions will keep you from falling asleep
johno-216 February 2006
I saw this film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and it's director Josef Fares introduced the film and took Q&A after. This really looks like a film not a movie. It has great cinematography and sound and music. Elias Gergi as the grandfather is outstanding and it's a great role. Imad Creidi in the title role of Zozo is very good. I could do without the chicken however. There very few other characters of interest in this film. Zozo's survival and how he made his way to Sweden from Lebanon seemed a little far-fetched. I felt the script was a little weak. This movie had some great production value to it but it wasn't enough to carry it beyond good to the excellent level and was no where near being superb. I would give this a 6.5 on a scale of 10 but I wouldn't see it twice.
Beautifully convincing
HenrikAjax20 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Third movie by young Lebanese/Swedish director Josef Fares. While his first two movies "Jalla, Jalla!" and "Kopps" are pure comedies, "Zozo" uses humor very subtle to make a tough destiny bearable. This well-acted story is inspired by Fares' own childhood, which is something you clearly feel while watching young charismatic Imad Creidi portraying the sensible but strong little boy Zozo, who manages to leave Beirut and the war and makes his way by himself to Sweden, only to bump into other kind of problems ones of a more personal nature than the more concrete and directly life threatening ones of his native town.
Throughout the movie Josef Fares skilfully lets us go very near young Zozo with all the emotional twists and turns of , for someone of his age, life changing experiences.
With this, the most serious film so far by Fares, he reveals a whole different pallet of qualities than in his earlier works; a far more sensitive side. Hats off gentlemen! /Henrik Ajax
Throughout the movie Josef Fares skilfully lets us go very near young Zozo with all the emotional twists and turns of , for someone of his age, life changing experiences.
With this, the most serious film so far by Fares, he reveals a whole different pallet of qualities than in his earlier works; a far more sensitive side. Hats off gentlemen! /Henrik Ajax
So so
stensson3 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Josef Fares has some talent. No doubt about that. But I'm sorry to say that this is in fact his worst picture so far, out of the three he has done.
It starts in Beirut in 1987. A family is emigrating, but the war kills everybody except for the little boy, Zozo. He gets alone to Sweden there he meets his grandparents. There are problems in this new environment.
It could have been good, but the movie has some difficulty in deciding whether it's for children or grown-ups. The story has no real end. It feels like "Oh now, we have already too much material. We must cut".
What starts as a drama about post-war feelings, which could have been interesting, becomes just another plain story, there it's too easy to say what will happen the next minute. Fares has talent to make a better movie.
It starts in Beirut in 1987. A family is emigrating, but the war kills everybody except for the little boy, Zozo. He gets alone to Sweden there he meets his grandparents. There are problems in this new environment.
It could have been good, but the movie has some difficulty in deciding whether it's for children or grown-ups. The story has no real end. It feels like "Oh now, we have already too much material. We must cut".
What starts as a drama about post-war feelings, which could have been interesting, becomes just another plain story, there it's too easy to say what will happen the next minute. Fares has talent to make a better movie.
One of the strongest movies I've seen.
majla_mig_ej12 September 2005
The story of a boy who's living in Beirut during the war, He and his family are waiting for their papers in order to leave Lebanon and seek refuge in Sweden.... The horrors of war and the way it affects civilians is shown in this movie and it won't leave you untouched. But even in the most serious situations there is room for jokes and you will alternate between crying and laughing.
This is one of the strongest movies I've seen! I've never admired any director or even known that they were alive until yesterday when I saw Zozo. With three great movies (this one is the best) Joseph Fares has shown that he truly masters the art of telling a story.
I sincerely hope this movie is translated into English and other languages and if it doesn't get nominated for best foreign movie something is not right.
Don't miss this movie!
This is one of the strongest movies I've seen! I've never admired any director or even known that they were alive until yesterday when I saw Zozo. With three great movies (this one is the best) Joseph Fares has shown that he truly masters the art of telling a story.
I sincerely hope this movie is translated into English and other languages and if it doesn't get nominated for best foreign movie something is not right.
Don't miss this movie!
It Could Have Offered More
albertval-6956029 January 2022
There's nothing new about the plot although the script tries to inject a refreshing element by way of a young boy's trauma but it doesn't quite pan out. What we have here is a predictable family movie with familiar cliches with its dark and happy moments and with the Lebanese civil war as convenient backdrop, centering on a Lebanese boy transplanted
to another country with all the adjustment woes it entails.
Having said this, Imad Creidi's performance deserves credit.
Having said this, Imad Creidi's performance deserves credit.
When your life shifts from fairly good to hell. When you get caught up in war.
sibbalingur8911 December 2005
The young Arabian boy, Zozo lives a fairly normal life with his family in Beirut. He's got good friends, and goes to an Arabic school. His grandparents live in Sweden, and have been motivating him and his family to come too. Away from the war. To a place what they saw as a paradise. A place where there was not war. As he described it to his friends, A country with beautiful girls and pretty houses.
From that ideal life, the movie leads you through the tragedy that Zozo experiences.
Zozo is an amazingly beautiful film (but yet no where near dramatic), that shows the world from an dreaming, mature eleven year old boy's point of view. The poetic and surrealistic filming captures the emotions in an extraordinary way, and surreal chapters of his dreams bring you closer to his mind and imagination.
I've never before cried over a movie. But the thought of this movie actually only being half fictional, since there is, and always will be war, made me feel utterly selfish, and at these circumstances you must either be a rock hard sailor or an emotionally dead soldier to at least not be a little touched by this emotional and poetic filming, and feel sympathy for the people who have to go through these circumstances. When they are forced into a war they never asked for. The victims of political arguments.
From that ideal life, the movie leads you through the tragedy that Zozo experiences.
Zozo is an amazingly beautiful film (but yet no where near dramatic), that shows the world from an dreaming, mature eleven year old boy's point of view. The poetic and surrealistic filming captures the emotions in an extraordinary way, and surreal chapters of his dreams bring you closer to his mind and imagination.
I've never before cried over a movie. But the thought of this movie actually only being half fictional, since there is, and always will be war, made me feel utterly selfish, and at these circumstances you must either be a rock hard sailor or an emotionally dead soldier to at least not be a little touched by this emotional and poetic filming, and feel sympathy for the people who have to go through these circumstances. When they are forced into a war they never asked for. The victims of political arguments.
Zozo oh Zozo, wherefore art thou so so-so?
herr_richelieu30 April 2006
After seeing a couple of the directors other movies I knew better than to expect too much from this one. But I have to say that it exceeded my expectations by far. Not in a good sense though. Basically it's very pretentious in it's symbolism (lots of puppy-love and talking birds(!?)) and actually rather meaningless, despite its over-obvious attempt to make the usual points that children are fragile and that it's better to be nice than to fight. Not to mention all the inconsistencies where for example one day the entire family are packing in a hurry not to miss the plane to Sweden, only to see Zozo enter the plane two or three days later on (I seriously doubt they had open tickets, and if they had, why the rush earlier on). So, most of the time I just wanted it to end (at some times my mind even wandered into thinking what if he hadn't stepped out for water in the beginning). But when it actually did I couldn't believe how abrupt and plain goofy the ending scene felt. And to think I missed Species II on TV for this;-)
Poignant Cinematic Masterpiece!!
MaximusQ819 August 2006
I have seen this amazing movie twice, the first time was on DVD and the second on cinema-theater which the all tickets cost are goes to collected for Lebanon support fund in State of Kuwait.
Zozo is the name of an innocent lebanese boy on the cusp of adolescence while his future and life are teetering on the brink of horrible destruction. actually he is too young to deal with the bloody Lebanese civil-war that is raging his country from the east to west!
So, and after his dreams & his hopes where destroyed, he is decide to travel to Sweden specially his Grandfather & Grandmother living there in peace.
and about the Film's fantastic fantasy it's as an breathing-space to audiences where watching an story's events of tragic & painful!! at this point specially I can confirm of this young director has really the competence for creating his line between the brilliant melodrama & the masterly comedy ! this is due to his talented-ways about blending the tragic's elements with the comedy's elements... without leaving his elements to interlacing for the calamitous melodrama or to sketchy comedy ... the film's way was convincible & will be ditto forever! So, the audiences will be at the end feels in happiness & in crying at the same time!
Well my readers, here & until this point must I stop the telling about the sadness & tragedy or fantasy & happiness elements in this amazing film!
Simply, we can consider this film ( Zozo ) is fully Lebanese, where 70% of it was shot mainly in lebanon, and 30% of it in Sweden. But even in Sweden the dialogue was in Lebanese too. Off course there is a little of dialogue in Swedish language ... but as I said we can consider this film is mainly Lebanese! from the director to the main actors they are Lebanese indeed not just acting and also through his main elements of events messages was in the lebanese circle even that was shot in Sweden...
This film is totally Different than ((Jala Jala)) this one is sad indeed, you can discovers his sadness between the elements. there are some senses inside this amazing film while you feel like crying!!
This young director been able to shown the true tragedy of his country civil-war! Josef Fares .. absolutely perfect & talented Director ... where crowned his early age as a big director!
I have seen his three films: Jalla! Jalla! (2000) , Kopps (2003) and Zozo (2005)
Until now (Zozo) is the best film of this young Lebanese-Swedish director Josef Fares.
at last, to "Kingdom of Sweden" I would like to say Thanks a lot for your great supports to appear this amazing film for us about that precious country on me!
MaximusQ8
Zozo is the name of an innocent lebanese boy on the cusp of adolescence while his future and life are teetering on the brink of horrible destruction. actually he is too young to deal with the bloody Lebanese civil-war that is raging his country from the east to west!
So, and after his dreams & his hopes where destroyed, he is decide to travel to Sweden specially his Grandfather & Grandmother living there in peace.
and about the Film's fantastic fantasy it's as an breathing-space to audiences where watching an story's events of tragic & painful!! at this point specially I can confirm of this young director has really the competence for creating his line between the brilliant melodrama & the masterly comedy ! this is due to his talented-ways about blending the tragic's elements with the comedy's elements... without leaving his elements to interlacing for the calamitous melodrama or to sketchy comedy ... the film's way was convincible & will be ditto forever! So, the audiences will be at the end feels in happiness & in crying at the same time!
Well my readers, here & until this point must I stop the telling about the sadness & tragedy or fantasy & happiness elements in this amazing film!
Simply, we can consider this film ( Zozo ) is fully Lebanese, where 70% of it was shot mainly in lebanon, and 30% of it in Sweden. But even in Sweden the dialogue was in Lebanese too. Off course there is a little of dialogue in Swedish language ... but as I said we can consider this film is mainly Lebanese! from the director to the main actors they are Lebanese indeed not just acting and also through his main elements of events messages was in the lebanese circle even that was shot in Sweden...
This film is totally Different than ((Jala Jala)) this one is sad indeed, you can discovers his sadness between the elements. there are some senses inside this amazing film while you feel like crying!!
This young director been able to shown the true tragedy of his country civil-war! Josef Fares .. absolutely perfect & talented Director ... where crowned his early age as a big director!
I have seen his three films: Jalla! Jalla! (2000) , Kopps (2003) and Zozo (2005)
Until now (Zozo) is the best film of this young Lebanese-Swedish director Josef Fares.
at last, to "Kingdom of Sweden" I would like to say Thanks a lot for your great supports to appear this amazing film for us about that precious country on me!
MaximusQ8
Excellent War Children's film
mona-el-jamil29 October 2006
Today I saw Zozo with my kids of 10 and 8 years old. I found it an excellent war film for children. Usually you want to protect your kids from the horror of war but Zozo is so well done that children can see it easily. I find it really good for children in Europe to see so that they understand what is the meaning of war, also to feel with people who look for refuge in their country. Behind the refugees is an important story and no one leaves his own country like that. Joseph Fares can communicate so well his message in a very nice full of humor way. He makes Europeans sympathize with Lebanese and foreign people. I am so impressed by Joseph Fares and I wish I can meet him one day. I really hope he will come one day to Holland as I can't wait to talk to him. Joseph, many thanks for making people hear from our small country Lebanon.
The good news are: Zozo isn't "so-so".
Torgo_Approves10 November 2006
(r#104)
The bad news are: Zozo is crap! Yep, it's happened again: a Swedish movie has ticked me off enough to make me write a review for it. The last time it happened was when I watched that nasty assault on the braincells "Tjenare Kungen" by Ulf Malmros. Damn you Swedish directors for wasting my time like this!
After changing film history with such epics as "Jalla Jalla" (you know that movie with, uh, that guy, which was so funny and touching and had that dad who knocked people down with his belly...uh...) and "Kopps" (yeah, I know, it was soooooo funny, right? Like, the bestest Swedish movie ever made, right?), Josef Fares decides to make the most personal of all his films: Zozo's story is based on the director's own life, as it depicts a boy escaping his war-ridden homeland to live in peace in Sweden. On paper it looks like a sure-fire "Best Foreign" Oscar winner, right? Unfortunately, there was a slight catch: Fares decided to direct the movie. Oh, and he cast Swedish actors for the lead roles. Whoops.
Edit: Granted, most of the actors are actually rather convincing, but they're stuck with a script so unbelievably stupid it makes Jalla Jalla look like 2001: A Space Odyssey.
To its bare bones, "Zozo" is little more than a rehash of a million other, better films, ranging from typical Swedish school dramas to Saving Private Ryan, and it is riddled with ludicrous dream sequences which make you wonder if little Zozo recently arrived from Vietnam along with Jacob Singer. The plot works well enough as long as it actually goes somewhere, unfortunately as soon as Zozo arrives in Sweden it decides to take a lunch break and never comes back. What we're left with are a few clichéd school drama scenes we've seen millions of times before. New guy has trouble fitting in. New guy gets bullied. New guy makes friends with nerdy guy. YAWN! Someone wake me up when it's over. Josef Fares seems to be thinking the same thing. "Man this movie is dull, I better add another nonsensical hallucinatory sequence! Oh, and screw editing, continuity and closure, I'll end the film with a scene that should have appeared somewhere during the middle ! Look at me, I'm Sweden's answer to Kubrick!"
It's a film that lazily begs for your pity and sympathy when it should be begging for your attention. It's awkwardly cutesy (isn't Zozo's chicken the CUTEST THING YOU'VE EVER SEEN??? ^^ Wait, maybe we should get on with the plot? Nah.), dull, pointless, jumbled, and full of awkward preteen humour to appeal to the "Kopps" fans (the chicken said it was going to "chill" with some buddies and have a couple of beers OMFG that is SO FUNNY, Mr. Fares, what ever will you think of next?!).
The movie has little to say about the war itself, about school, about life as a kid, or about anything really. On the surface, it's an Oscar movie. Too bad some of the acting is so awful, the direction so hopelessly bland, the musical score so pathetically forgettable, and the story so nonexistent. Without these petty flaws we'd be looking at a seriously great movie. As it is, I say it's time we pull the plug on the Swedish movie industry. Run Zozo run!
The bad news are: Zozo is crap! Yep, it's happened again: a Swedish movie has ticked me off enough to make me write a review for it. The last time it happened was when I watched that nasty assault on the braincells "Tjenare Kungen" by Ulf Malmros. Damn you Swedish directors for wasting my time like this!
After changing film history with such epics as "Jalla Jalla" (you know that movie with, uh, that guy, which was so funny and touching and had that dad who knocked people down with his belly...uh...) and "Kopps" (yeah, I know, it was soooooo funny, right? Like, the bestest Swedish movie ever made, right?), Josef Fares decides to make the most personal of all his films: Zozo's story is based on the director's own life, as it depicts a boy escaping his war-ridden homeland to live in peace in Sweden. On paper it looks like a sure-fire "Best Foreign" Oscar winner, right? Unfortunately, there was a slight catch: Fares decided to direct the movie. Oh, and he cast Swedish actors for the lead roles. Whoops.
Edit: Granted, most of the actors are actually rather convincing, but they're stuck with a script so unbelievably stupid it makes Jalla Jalla look like 2001: A Space Odyssey.
To its bare bones, "Zozo" is little more than a rehash of a million other, better films, ranging from typical Swedish school dramas to Saving Private Ryan, and it is riddled with ludicrous dream sequences which make you wonder if little Zozo recently arrived from Vietnam along with Jacob Singer. The plot works well enough as long as it actually goes somewhere, unfortunately as soon as Zozo arrives in Sweden it decides to take a lunch break and never comes back. What we're left with are a few clichéd school drama scenes we've seen millions of times before. New guy has trouble fitting in. New guy gets bullied. New guy makes friends with nerdy guy. YAWN! Someone wake me up when it's over. Josef Fares seems to be thinking the same thing. "Man this movie is dull, I better add another nonsensical hallucinatory sequence! Oh, and screw editing, continuity and closure, I'll end the film with a scene that should have appeared somewhere during the middle ! Look at me, I'm Sweden's answer to Kubrick!"
It's a film that lazily begs for your pity and sympathy when it should be begging for your attention. It's awkwardly cutesy (isn't Zozo's chicken the CUTEST THING YOU'VE EVER SEEN??? ^^ Wait, maybe we should get on with the plot? Nah.), dull, pointless, jumbled, and full of awkward preteen humour to appeal to the "Kopps" fans (the chicken said it was going to "chill" with some buddies and have a couple of beers OMFG that is SO FUNNY, Mr. Fares, what ever will you think of next?!).
The movie has little to say about the war itself, about school, about life as a kid, or about anything really. On the surface, it's an Oscar movie. Too bad some of the acting is so awful, the direction so hopelessly bland, the musical score so pathetically forgettable, and the story so nonexistent. Without these petty flaws we'd be looking at a seriously great movie. As it is, I say it's time we pull the plug on the Swedish movie industry. Run Zozo run!
Excellent
wjmatar2 April 2006
The movie is well done, I like it very much.... It is indeed very cruel hard and tough for the boy... but while you see the movie you smile at the same time. I never know there is such good Lebanese director. Mabrouk. Maybe one thing.. I like the end of the movie... it shows the innocence of children... and from nothing they are trying to be happy in life... But I think the end is also sad.. there is a feeling of sadness with this peaceful end of the last picture of the movie.. so I think it is little exaggerating as drama. But again all the movie is excellent!
I arrived 5 minutes late to the theater, so I hope to see it again later.
I arrived 5 minutes late to the theater, so I hope to see it again later.
A sad pile of rubbish!
qui_j7 April 2021
This movie tries to impart a message but it's one that probably only the writers and producers understand. The script is as amateurish as is the acting. The movie goes along at a slow pace and is a total waste of time. It's always amazing that movies like this are even allowed to be streamed to a global audience.
Devestatingly Therapeutic..
karamtarek28 April 2006
What can i say. Joseph Fares has managed to capture on film the experience of what it meant to be Lebanese and to be in Lebanon during the war. Away from any and all politicization, away from the savagery and brutality the film is able to project the "Human" face of what anyone of us would go through given the circumstances. I left in 1989 as well, but i was one of the fortunate ones and my family remained safe. What Joseph and Zozo (actor) were able to produce together was beyond remarkable. Beauty indeed is found in simplicity, so is power. Carmen Lebbos who plays zozo's mother in this unfolding story is also able to bring the best of her game and i wouldn't be surprised if the film is able to capture more than one home run at the Oscars. Goodluck :) Hint: in Lebanon we call Joseph --> ZoZo :)
a disappointing so-called "movie"
ghinwa_lb19 May 2011
I am not going to summarize the movie as the synopsis and all the above reviews say it all. I'll just try to save your precious time and friendly advise you to watch the news, work out for 2 good hours, or maybe walk the dog instead of wasting your time on a piece of work where nothing is good enough, not even average. From the bad bad casting, to the frustrating script and amateurish direction, to the effects that were maybe so special in a previous era, I will simply tell you that ZOZO is probably the worst film I have watched this year. The review entitled: The good news are: Zozo isn't "so-so"., written in 10 November 2006 is a great on to read. Peace.
Zozo is a great movie
mirta1925 April 2006
Went to the movies not knowing what to expect, and came out of the theater in complete silence, red eyes and in deep thought... As a Lebanese, I could relate almost 90% to this film. It is about the life of a young Lebanese boy during the time of war and having to immigrates to Sweden.
It was very well casted and produced. Also, there were many hilarious jokes in it. The grandfather plays a great role and Zozo the character is also amazing.If you have the chance, definitely go see it. It is worth your time, just be prepared for some tears to role down your face... Well done!
It was very well casted and produced. Also, there were many hilarious jokes in it. The grandfather plays a great role and Zozo the character is also amazing.If you have the chance, definitely go see it. It is worth your time, just be prepared for some tears to role down your face... Well done!
zozo --->magnificent!!
anthony_ak8 April 2006
As a Lebanese citizen, I think it's a CLASS A movie and should have won the best foreign picture award. The actors are great, the shooting is perfect. I've seen so many American and European movies, and Lebanese movies which are very rare are not that successful and well directed. But ZOZO, which I consider to be a 100% Lebanese directed movie, ranks as one the best films I have ever seen in my life. TWO THUMBS UP I say! NB:after the civil war (1975-1991), Lebanon has become a magnificent country which you should visit... So please do not take Lebanon as a war country... But this movie showed how the Lebanese people were really living hell on earth during this period of time.
Zozo
random_avenger16 August 2010
An 11-year old Lebanese boy Zozo (Imad Creidi) moves to Sweden from his heavily bombed home country after a tragedy occurs in his family. In Sweden he is welcomed by his loving grandparents (Elias Gergi and Yasmine Awad) but adapting to a new environment and learning a new language aren't easy for the boy who still suffers from painful memories of his old life in Lebanon.
The first half of the film takes place in Lebanon, which the brownish, orange-tinted cinematography paints as hot but full of light. In the midst of the frequent violent incidents in the city, Zozo's family loves him and wishes to give him a better future abroad. After arriving in Sweden, the mood changes from dangerous to longing, partly due to the beautifully green and bright Swedish summer that highlights the contrast between the two countries. His grandfather's lovable antics help him to get over past traumas and lead to some comedic incidents, but a sense of loneliness lingers on and Zozo knows that there's more to life than the grandfather's simplistic teachings suggest.
Besides the realistic portrayal of Zozo's experiences at the Lebanese streets and the Swedish school, the movie spices things up by adding an extra layer of fantasy in the form of creations from Zozo's imagination. Be it a talking chicken, a God-like ball of light or an explosive reaction to school-bullies, the visualizations of Zozo's inner world provide interesting insight to his character and make the film more memorable than the average dramas about adapting to new life.
Zozo is director Josef Fares' first move into a more serious territory after the comedic Jalla! Jalla! and Kopps, and as such it succeeds effortlessly. The story is inspired by Fares' own experiences as a young immigrant in Sweden, and his insight on the subject produces an effective piece of cinema with well balanced tragic and comical aspects. Thanks to Imad Creidi's unforced performance as Zozo and the bubbling joie de vivre of his grandfather, the film can be recommended to anyone interested in immigration-related cinema, but the sense of being an outsider in a group should appeal to big audiences as well.
The first half of the film takes place in Lebanon, which the brownish, orange-tinted cinematography paints as hot but full of light. In the midst of the frequent violent incidents in the city, Zozo's family loves him and wishes to give him a better future abroad. After arriving in Sweden, the mood changes from dangerous to longing, partly due to the beautifully green and bright Swedish summer that highlights the contrast between the two countries. His grandfather's lovable antics help him to get over past traumas and lead to some comedic incidents, but a sense of loneliness lingers on and Zozo knows that there's more to life than the grandfather's simplistic teachings suggest.
Besides the realistic portrayal of Zozo's experiences at the Lebanese streets and the Swedish school, the movie spices things up by adding an extra layer of fantasy in the form of creations from Zozo's imagination. Be it a talking chicken, a God-like ball of light or an explosive reaction to school-bullies, the visualizations of Zozo's inner world provide interesting insight to his character and make the film more memorable than the average dramas about adapting to new life.
Zozo is director Josef Fares' first move into a more serious territory after the comedic Jalla! Jalla! and Kopps, and as such it succeeds effortlessly. The story is inspired by Fares' own experiences as a young immigrant in Sweden, and his insight on the subject produces an effective piece of cinema with well balanced tragic and comical aspects. Thanks to Imad Creidi's unforced performance as Zozo and the bubbling joie de vivre of his grandfather, the film can be recommended to anyone interested in immigration-related cinema, but the sense of being an outsider in a group should appeal to big audiences as well.
Josef Fares is upcoming and "hot"
sysys8 January 2006
ZOZO is a wonderful dramatic and emotional film about a young boy facing a hard journey from his war torn homeland Lebanon to the peaceful Sweden.. And the journey within..
Josef Fares has the unique gift of telling a story. He does this with great seriousness but also with humor and a light heart.
You can see the Trailer here: http://www.sonetfilm.se/zino.aspx?articleID=693&clip=1 The director Josef Fares, aged 28, is getting "hot" and more noticed outside Sweden. The man behind the movies like "Zozo" and "Kopps" is on the American movie magazine Variety's "Ten directors to watch" list.
Other upcoming directors on the list is right now names like Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan.
Josef Fares has the unique gift of telling a story. He does this with great seriousness but also with humor and a light heart.
You can see the Trailer here: http://www.sonetfilm.se/zino.aspx?articleID=693&clip=1 The director Josef Fares, aged 28, is getting "hot" and more noticed outside Sweden. The man behind the movies like "Zozo" and "Kopps" is on the American movie magazine Variety's "Ten directors to watch" list.
Other upcoming directors on the list is right now names like Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan.
Yes Josef, a dream can come true. Your movie exists for real!
samsoum2 November 2006
Before starting any analysis on "Zozo", we should admit that actor's role do not depend only on movie makers... talent inside Imad Creidi's brains is definitely the priority of this movie (physically communicative too, his eyes and mouth are giving all expressions needed to make you feel what an 11 years old boy really feels during sad or happy moments). That will be not enough to talk about Imad Creidi in few lines... what is certain is that this actor has already a high sensibility of feelings in real life. Question: why isn't he shooting another movie already?? He is perfect for any role.
Back to ZOZO the movie: Well, Josef Fares, the director and writer, said something in his story, when Zozo was writing a letter: "if only dreams came true". Well i think his movie came true and we can dream about hope and tolerance. Zozo criticizes violence by showing its presence everywhere and shows in a very subtle way, many ways that could bring violence as well as the best way to avoid it. By his impartial look to facts, viewers can feel or not the significance of every scene. Unfortunately, some do not "feel" the movie: they can just tell about the significance of some scenes. Therefore, Zozo might not affect all people, especially if viewers are not patient, sensitive or take the time to listen and understand a Lot of symbolism. This is not only the story of very important parts of the life of an 11 years old boy. It is more than a dream, a message of tolerance and of life. Once can dream, but it will be confronted to the bitterness of life: like a green apple mixed with some salt. Life, seen through the eye of innocence... transition in the life of a child becoming soon an independent teen... love he can give... injustice he will face because he is different from other kids of his age... and finally, his glory by finding his own way. The story of a boy, we have pity on but later we might envy him. That's a glory too.
Back to ZOZO the movie: Well, Josef Fares, the director and writer, said something in his story, when Zozo was writing a letter: "if only dreams came true". Well i think his movie came true and we can dream about hope and tolerance. Zozo criticizes violence by showing its presence everywhere and shows in a very subtle way, many ways that could bring violence as well as the best way to avoid it. By his impartial look to facts, viewers can feel or not the significance of every scene. Unfortunately, some do not "feel" the movie: they can just tell about the significance of some scenes. Therefore, Zozo might not affect all people, especially if viewers are not patient, sensitive or take the time to listen and understand a Lot of symbolism. This is not only the story of very important parts of the life of an 11 years old boy. It is more than a dream, a message of tolerance and of life. Once can dream, but it will be confronted to the bitterness of life: like a green apple mixed with some salt. Life, seen through the eye of innocence... transition in the life of a child becoming soon an independent teen... love he can give... injustice he will face because he is different from other kids of his age... and finally, his glory by finding his own way. The story of a boy, we have pity on but later we might envy him. That's a glory too.
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