Caught it this afternoon, a film with its heart in the right place and one that is aimed squarely at showing that no matter which side is right or wrong (if either), the true victims of any war are the innocents caught in the middle. The pain is multiplied when you're talking about civil war because communities, families and friends are torn apart on opposing sides. 

Child soldiers, forced to take up arms at ages where they should still be in their mothers arms are an unfortunately all too common sight in recent years in Africa and as this film ably demonstrates in El Salvador. Voces Inocentes tells the story of an eleven year old dreading his twelth birthday, he knows that the army will come and forcefully (if neccessary) enlist him, the rebels do not force children to join, they just put themselves forward as the only hope of rescue from the army (though of course it pretty much adds upto the same thing).

The film is incredibly effective at giving a good impression of what it would be like to be caught in the crossfire as the Government troops and rebels battle it out through the streets of the shanty towns even to the point where a firefight rages through the local school and church. It also shows how children adapt to situations (generally far better than adults are able to) and still find time to play and have a little fun.

I left the screening feeling that I'd seen a good film but not one that should have really got to me in some way, I felt it was a little too slick at times, too many completely unneccessary Hollywood style moments. This was based on a true story and I think it would have made a more convincing and moving film if they had stuck closer to the truth. It could by all means be true but the scene where a couple of the boys are executed felt far too contrived especially with the way our protagonist was saved at the last millisecond.

Overall then, good intentions, a deserving story but to my jaded eye a little too slick. 

Cheers Trev.