WOW! This film may only be 26 minutes long, but it packs a punch! By the title, you can guess that it is a tear jerker. Young Karen is bullied in school, as is her only friend in the world, Georgia. And at home, Karen is abused by her mother.
In this film, the adults around her know that she is being abused at home, but no one comes to her rescue, leaving Karen to take matters into her own hands.
This film, in my honest opinion should be shown to all CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) workers in training. Not that CASA has anything to do with this film.
The outstanding performances by both Karen (Taylor Moss) and by Victoria (Shawn I. Chevalier) are both award worthy, honest to God!
I also enjoyed the actor who played Victoria's Landlord, Mr. Ramsey. And that one bully, Holly was a real pistol.
I see this film has not won any awards, which is both shocking to me, but kind of not surprised due to the difficult to watch scenes. When I say difficult to watch scenes, I merely mean that they are extremely emotional and pull at the heart strings especially for anyone who has ever been abused by the ones who are supposed to love and protect them. But the reason for no wins is likely due to festival directors and judges feeling afraid to award a film with such difficult topics, because it seems that in the independent world of filmmaking, everyone wants to favor and praise the films that sugar coat everything and act as if we live in a perfect world where abuse, racism and bullying do not exist.
I'm glad that there are a few filmmakers out there that are not afraid to tackle subjects such as these. Thank you, Dreams Come True Films. Though this one is not a feel-good movie, I still have it in my DVD collection and still watch occasionally. If you ever get the chance to see it, do have your tissues handy and be ready for a good cry!
