August 22, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 19, 1429

KARACHI: Paul is a six-year-old child who lives in a darkened home. He is suffering from a hereditary illness which has gradually turned into skin cancer and sunlight aggravates the disease. Thus he is confined to his apartment and his only connection with the outside world and companionship is through his sister, Lisa. He awaits her return from school everyday eagerly because she takes him into a world of fantasy where scientists and astronauts rule. This daily ritual changes when Lisa begins to like a boy and is unable to give her total attention to Paul. Both have to compromise and adapt to the new situation.

Called Mondscheinkinder or Children of the Moon, the German film was screened on Thursday at the Goethe Institut. Made in 2006, it received many awards. Its writer and producer, Manuela Stacke, who has studied documentary film-making from the Munich Academy of Television and Film, became interested in children’s topics, making documentaries on them and later the film Children of the Moon.

An extremely beautiful and moving film, Mondscheinkinder had the audience in tears, especially during the end when it becomes clear that Paul is dying. It is heart-wrenching to see the isolation of the young child who wants to go out and play but cannot. His quiet frustration is very convincing.

The unusual aspect of the film is the use of animation every time Lisa takes Paul into the world of make-belief, which appears jarring in the beginning but grows on the viewer gradually. Excellent cinematography and acting from the main characters Paul, Lisa, their mother and Simon, Lisa’s friend - specially Lisa who goes through the emotions of love, caring and guilt as well as being misunderstood by her friends and classmates, because she is so aloof due to her preoccupation with her brother.