Tag Archives: Sitthiphon Disamoe

The Rocket (2013)

My Ratings: 4/5.

The Rocket is a heart-touching Australian film selected in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2014 Oscars.

Set in Laos (Vietnam) The Rocket is the tale of a 10 year old boy named Alho (amazing performance by Sitthiphon Disamoe) who is desperate to prove himself ‘lucky’!

Being a twin Alho (though his twin brother died in child birth) is considered unlucky from the time he was born (especially by the highly prejudiced elder generation people). And after a terrible accident and a few unfortunate events Alho’s fate seemed to be sealed.

But then with the support of his little girl-friend Kia (Loungnam Kaosainam) and her half-baked uncle Purple (Suthep Po-ngam), and also with his father’s approval Alho does manage to turn things around in his favor.

The kid’s luck flies high like a rocket in the sky.

The Rocket not only narrates a family drama with great emotional details but also reflects the poor conditions of the majority in the post war Vietnam.

Many people may perceive the film as a political drama but according to me the political aspect is very intelligently kept as a sub-layer in the film. Evidently the story of Alho and his near ones is the focus of the film.

Directed by Kim Mordaunt The Rocket is shot almost in the documentary style realist manner and such natural performances especially by the kids – the moments of innocence will absolutely melt your heart.

Great performances, superb story-telling and most importantly a film that is true to itself.

Hard luck for you if you miss this film, believe me.

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9dHw423U7Q