2021 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW:
Issam (Hatem Ali) is the most successful chocolatier in all of Syria, at least he was until his factory burned to the ground. Now, he and his family are forced to move to Canada, where they know no one and struggle with a crippling language barrier. Tareq (Ayham Abou Ammar), Issam’s son, is now in charge of helping his family assimilate and get back on their feet. Peace by Chocolate is the story of Tareq and his family as they journey through their newfound home and attempt to rebuild their life together. While they each have a plan in mind with which they believe they can succeed, Issam refuses to let go of his past, letting chocolate guide his way.
I rarely consider lighting to be the most important aspect of a film, however, even with all that Peace by Chocolate has to offer, it seems like the lighting is the shining (pun intended) star of the show. This aspect is what brings the entirety of the film together and allows viewers to feel the immense emotion present in each and every scene. Light (or the absence of) mirrors the emotion in each scene, and brings to life an understanding of what it is that Tareq and his family are experiencing throughout Peace by Chocolate.
One aspect of a film, however, is not enough to find it success, which is where Ammar, Mark Camacho (Frank), and Ali come into play. While the lighting makes for a wonderful understanding of the film and all of its content (and truly is the most enjoyable part of Peace by Chocolate), the acting supplements it so well, making it nearly impossible for viewers not to appreciate what they’re watching. Ammar, a complete unknown in the world of cinema, takes the stage as the lead of Peace by Chocolate, and brings to life a vibrant character full of hopes and dreams, but even more importantly, kindness and selflessness. This character, in many ways, is the epitome of what every individual should hope to be throughout the course of their lives. His presence makes everyone and everything around him better, and he helps bring to life this colorful journey of family and chocolate.
A large part of why Ammar is successful comes from the simplicity, but realism present in writers Jonathan Keijser and Abdul Malik’s writing. The dialogue, specifically, reflects that of the real world, and makes viewers feel like they can relate to what is being said. Oftentimes dialogue--which I genuinely believe is the most difficult aspect of filmmaking--can feel either too plain or a bit over the top, but not the dialogue present in Peace by Chocolate. Each and every word spoken feels real and lends itself well to the acting and the overall scope of the film.
This film based on a true story is eye opening, gut wrenching, and impeccably relatable. Now, I don’t know many people who make their living by running a chocolate factory, but the reality is that we all aspire to do what we love and still make enough money to be successful in this dog-eat-dog world. In some ways Issam is the real-life Willy Wonka, but in even more ways he’s even better. The story of Issam, Tareq, and their family and friends is one that will pull you to the edge of your seat, make you question your own life choices, and make you thankful for everything you’ve been given and everything you’ve worked for. Peace by Chocolate is fun, but it’s also rich with knowledge, giving just about everyone something to love. Cinematically Peace by Chocolate offers the world so much as well. There are so many delectable layers to Keijser’s film, and viewers have no choice but to love every one.
Directed by Jonathan Keijser.
Written by Jonathan Keijser & Abdul Malik.
Starring Hatem Ali, Ayham Abou Ammar, Yara Sabri, Mark Camacho, Najlaa Al Khamri, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Mark Hachem, Alika Autran, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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