Schoolyard Blues

It's John's first day at school. Unexpectedly his eleven-year-old big brother Mika shows up to follow him to assembly. But Mika has plans other than just taking John to school. Mika sees it as his mission to teach John the hard facts of the world, starting with the merciless demands of the schoolyard. Schoolyard Blues is a beautiful film about siblings forced to raise each other in light of an absent mother. The film creates  a profound emotional impact which stems from a deeply personal story and yet is relatable to people of all ages and nationalities. It portrays this through vibrant cinematography and outstanding performances well beyond the years of the young actors. - Youth Jury Prize at Aspen Shortsfest 2017