Wallah Be (Kald mig bare Aksel) is a Danish coming-of-age drama that follows the life of 18-year-old Aksel, who is desperate to free himself from his immigrant family's tyranny and start a new life. Directed by Rumle Hammerich, the movie stars Adam Gilbert Jespersen, as Aksel, Sarah Boberg, as his mother, and Jesper Lohmann, as his father.
The movie starts with Aksel's family moving to Denmark from Lebanon, and their struggle to acclimate to a new culture, a new language, and a new way of life. Aksel's father, Ibrahim, is a strict and traditional Muslim, who expects his son to follow his religious beliefs and values, while his mother, Anna, is more liberal and open-minded, but powerless against her husband's authority.
As the only son of his family, Aksel carries the weight of his family's expectations on his shoulders. His father wants him to become a doctor, marry a Lebanese girl, and lead a life according to Islamic principles. However, Aksel dreams of pursuing a career in music, dating Danish girls, and living a life free of his family's demands.
The central conflict in the movie arises when Aksel falls in love with a Danish girl named Julie, who is his opposite in many ways. While Julie is carefree, independent, and adventurous, Aksel is shy, reserved, and cautious. Despite their cultural and religious differences, Aksel and Julie feel a strong attraction towards each other, and they start seeing each other secretly.
However, their romance is short-lived, as Aksel's father discovers his son's relationship with Julie, and he forbids him from seeing her. Aksel is torn between his love for Julie and his loyalty to his family, and he struggles to find a way to reconcile his conflicting feelings.
The movie beautifully captures the cultural clash between Aksel's Muslim heritage and Julie's liberal Danish upbringing. It depicts the challenges faced by immigrants in integrating into a new society while preserving their roots and traditions.
The movie's narrative is compelling, and it creates a sense of empathy for Aksel's dilemma. The director artfully uses music to convey Aksel's emotions and dreams, and the soundtracks add a layer of depth to the movie. The movie's pacing is slow, but it marries well with the movie's themes of identity and belonging.
The performances by the cast are excellent, and Adam Gilbert Jespersen, in particular, excels in his portrayal of Aksel. He effectively conveys the character's internal struggles and conflicts, and his nuanced performance makes the audience feel invested in Aksel's journey.
Overall, Wallah Be (Kald mig bare Aksel) is a heartfelt and poignant movie about the challenges faced by immigrants and the universal desire to find one's identity and purpose in life. It's a movie that will resonate with audiences of all cultures and backgrounds and will leave a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.
Wallah Be is a 2002 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.
