The Statue

Hassan, a recently immigrated 2nd grader, struggles with his new life that only becomes more challenging when his dance teacher casts him in the class play. Hassan has just moved to the US from Egypt and to make things harder, this 2nd grader is a shy little guy. His supportive mother does the best she can to encourage him on his first day of school while Makai, the rowdiest kid in class, is keenly interested in the new kid. Ms. Burgess, his vibrant yet commanding dance teacher, finds his shyness curious and casts Hassan in the annual 2nd-grade play, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”. Hassan is assigned a suitable part: the Giant Rumblebuffin who is turned into a statue by the White Witch. He stands as a frozen statue most of the time and only has one line. Sounds easy enough but he just can’t get the line right. Even though Hassan is surrounded by supportive people, will he get it right on closing night when his parents come to see the show? (Tiburon International Film Festival)