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In fairness, the film does have some amusing moments, such as when an American (played by Feig) whose car has run out of gas mistakes David for one of the locals and begins speaking to him in garbled Italian—and David, who happened to learn several languages in the camp, can understand everything the man says. Later, David comes across a kindly old artist (Joan Plowright) who tells him she would like to paint his face, and the boy, who knows nothing about portraiture, replies, "What color do you want to paint my face?"

Joan Plowright plays an artist who befriends David along the way

The reasons for David's internment in the camp are left obscure, but they have something to do with the "beliefs" of his parents. The novel makes an implicit link between faith and freedom, and the film does too, though it is more subtle; instead of praying regularly to "the God of the still waters and green pastures" as he does in the book, the David of the film prays to the patron saint of bakers after one gives him a picture of her. In another scene, a family that hosts David and treats him to his first big meal says grace; and near the end, the boy enters a church, where he has a flashback to an incident between the Caviezel and Shopov characters that fits so, so well with their characters in The Passion.

Whoops, there I go, bringing in that other film again. Well, it can't be helped. I Am David is okay family fare, and while some parents might wish the film had more emotional depth, they will probably appreciate the gentle humor and delicate restraint Feig brings to this story. Then they can introduce their children to the book.

Talk About It

1. Johannes tells David it is important to stay alive, so that one can change things. Does David change anything? Does Johannes change anything? Is it possible to change things by dying?
   
   
2. The artist who paints David's picture tells him, "Most people are good. They have family and friends, and they just want to live their lives as happily as they can." Is this an adequate understanding of "goodness"? Do you agree that most people are good? Explain.
   
   
3. The artist also tells David, "There will always be bad people in this world, and you'll usually know them when you meet them, and sometimes you won't." Is this a fair statement? How do you think it is possible to distinguish "good" people from "bad" people?
   
   
4. Why do you think the person who planned David's escape helped him the way he did? Is he a "good" person or a "bad" person? A bit of both? How can you tell the difference?
   
   

Also note that there are discussion materials and educational curriculae on the film's official website .

The Family Corner

I Am David is rated PG for thematic elements and violent content. Soldiers pursue David and kill at least one of David's fellow prisoners in the concentration camp, and later on, David witnesses a clash between Communist protestors and Italian police; however, the serious violence is kept off screen.

Photos © Copyright Lions Gate Films

Director Paul Feig's film I Am David is based on North to Freedom, an acclaimed novel by Anne Holm, set in the 1950s. The story follows David (Ben Tibber), a 12-year-old prisoner who has been separated from his parents and is growing up alone in a Bulgarian labor camp. He befriends another prisoner (portrayed by The Passion of The Christ's Jim Caviezel) who plays an important role in helping him escape the prison.

Time out! If there was a contest for Most Bizarre Casting Choice of 2004, it would very likely go to the casting of Hristo Shopov as the concentration camp commandant who carries out a harsh judgment on Caviezel's character. Shopov played Pontius Pilate in The Passion of The Christ, where he carried out an even harsher judgment on Caviezel's Jesus. The Passion's Saint Peter, Francesco de Vito, also shows up, playing an Italian sailor who has compassion for young David. Two other cast members, Matt Patresi and Paco Reconti, appear in both films. And Shaila Rubin, appearing here as the owner of a vineyard, served as the casting director for The Passion of The Christ. (Don't get your hopes up—Monica Belucci is nowhere to be seen.)

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