Drug themes, frequent coarse language and violence
Australia 2009
Director: Serhat Caradee
Cast: Rachael Taylor, Martin Henderson, Daniel Amalm, Bren Foster, Ian Roberts, Les Chantery, Serhat Caradee, Taffy Hany, Drew Pearson, Buddy Dannoun. Waddah Sari, Vico Thai.
Running time: 101 minutes
Tarek (Les Chantery), a young panel beater, lives at home with his parents and little sister. His close friend Nabil (Buddy Dannoun) works in his family contract cleaning business. Sam (Waddah Sari), his hot-headed mate, tries to make a name for himself on the street. Nabil offers his friend “in” on a heist that could set them up for life. Tarek is intrigued but he’s not a criminal and his family already has one son in jail, his older brother, Jamal (Bren Foster). Then temptation starts to get the better of him. Tarek dreams of owning his own workshop and living in a better area. His brother’s appeal has also stalled for lack of funds. And then there’s Amie (Rachael Taylor), the hot eastern suburbs girl he’s just met. She’s part of another world; exclusive, privileged and out of reach. It’s where he wants to be. Tarek and Nabil decide to take a chance.
Debuting film-maker Serhat Caradee has something very definite to say with Cedar Boys. “What initially drew me to this story was a desire to paint a picture of what it’s like to be Lebanese in Australia during these sensitive times. I wanted to show how easily young Middle Eastern boys fall into crime: how they are constantly exposed to it, how they are presented with attractive criminal roles models, and how crime can appear to offer the only path to fulfilment and success.”
Caradee has succeeded completely in his mission, in what is a powerful and gripping story, told with flair and cinematic skill. It’s a story with a very clear life saving message for the young Lebanese men who -
hopefully – will be drawn to see the film.The performances from Caradee’s hand picked cast is flawless, from Les Chantery’s tragic young Tarek to his buddy Nabil played with great presence by Buddy Dannoun and Bren Foster as Tarek’s jailed brother Jamal.
Source: IMDB, Urban Cinefile, Andrew L. Urban
Compiled by: Mark Horner