The short feature Izidor, by director David Kabbe, plays like a sort of fairy tale in the modern age. There are ruthless villains, a child in absolute distress, and an ultimate savior whose ultimate act of kindness can only be compared to rebirth itself. At the very least, it provides viewers with a sense of hope and faith that can only exist if you actually believe in fantasy stories where good can prevail. Or it could be the story of Izidor, the young boy whose shattered spirit was healed by someone by an angel.
An angel walking on Earth. Izidor is based on a true story that took place in a country with inexplicable laws, at least in the period when Izidor’s story is set. In Romania, children born with disabilities are sent to be raised in institutions. Their families can’t keep them, and the government takes care of them in derelict orphanages. Think of a prison for children, and you’ll get the idea. Izidor is one of these kids, a quiet and shy boy who doesn’t know hope and gets treated like trash by the caretakers. Except for one, a kind woman who decides to give Izidor a chance to walk with his limp in broad daylight.
She gets the permission to take Izidor for a day trip. The boy grabs her hand and discovers the world that fears him. A society that finds him abominable for something he can’t control. However, he and his temporary guardian escape. The destination? Her home. A warm house with a lovely family, with utensils for eating and cake for dessert. Izidor is where he’s supposed to be.
What follows is a beautiful short film where Izidor finds the light of knowledge, hope and kindness with the help of that angel. Everything is new to him, from horses to a spoon. Even a new outline of a nightmare is surprising to Izidor, whose single-day experience has created its latest set of monsters. This journey of discovery, as summarized as it feels, is very compelling in the hands of the young performer who plays Izidor.
As with all well-structured stories, Izidor has a conclusion. An uplifting resolution that doesn’t necessarily end the way a fairy tale would end. It ends with a reality of shock that doesn’t evaporate the hope of the story but does land Izidor’s journey in a very relevant spot. We need to talk about these laws, address the past and heal. Izidor himself is there to let you know he’s OK. But his words demand action. The need to observe the stories of those who were not fortunate enough to find their angel.
