Film Review- Dolphin Boy a Story of healing and Hope

If you’re looking for a film that takes you on an emotional roller coaster—one that keeps you on the edge of your seat, hoping for a miracle—Dolphin Boy is a must-watch. Recently screened as part of Harmony Week at the Church of Scientology, this powerful documentary tells the extraordinary true story of a young Arab boy in northern Israel whose life is shattered by a tragic misunderstanding.

After sending a note to a classmate that was misinterpreted, the boy becomes the victim of a brutal attack. The trauma leaves him speechless, his body barely functioning beyond the blood running through his veins. His devastated family faces an impossible choice—hospitalizing him in a psychiatric ward or taking one final, desperate chance: dolphin therapy.

Directed by both Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir—two-time Israeli Academy Award winners—embarked on this journey without knowing how it would end. Through years of filming, often traveling long distances only to find the boy unready to be recorded, they captured an incredible story of resilience, healing, and the profound connection between humans and dolphins. The family’s unwavering dedication and sacrifice to bring their son back to life form the emotional core of the film. The relationship was so successful it they also collaborated on another film titled “Picture of his life”.

Every great film has a genius behind it, someone who takes a simple idea and expands it into something extraordinary. Yonatan Nir, an underwater photographer at Dolphin Reef, specializes in exploring trauma and recovery. Through his lens, he discovered the healing power of capturing images and how they create lasting memories. Having faced his own challenges, Yonatan found solace in dolphins, which ultimately shaped this film. His insights on trauma and recovery even led him to deliver a TEDx talk—check it out here: TEDx Savyon 2020.

Dolphin Boy is a heart-wrenching yet inspirational journey, showcasing the remarkable ability of dolphins to rebuild a shattered soul. As the audience watched the screening, the producer himself sat among them, visibly reliving the intense moments of the filming process.

Menkin’s work has been recognized worldwide, with his films—including Picture of His Life, On the Map, Aulcie, 39 Pounds of Love, and Is That You?—being sold to major platforms like Disney and HBO. Dolphin Boy has won several nominations and awards, including the Jury Mention Award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival, and was acquired by Disney for a fiction adaptation. It has been distributed in over 20 countries, with international broadcasters like French-German Arte and British Channel 4 also picking it up.

Prepare for a transformative and triumphant cinematic experience—one that will bring you to tears yet fill you with hope. Dolphin Boy is not just a film; it’s a testament to the power of love, determination, and the healing wonders of nature.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the film, visit OUR FILMS | Hey Jude Productions.