On Christmas Day, Dylan (Shane Curry) a sullen, asthmatic 11-year-old boy living in a filthy slum in Dublin flees his father's drunken violence. Along for the adventure is fellow 11-year-old Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), the bold, determined girl who lives next door. The two hope to find Dylan's older brother, who ran away from home two years earlier. Instead, they learn to their, and our, surprise, how deeply they love each other. As a bonus, they discover something about "the musical God" who Dylan is named for. Lance Daly wrote, directed and partially photographed this elegantly uncomplicated gem, winner of the best Irish feature award at Galway. He draws superlative performances from the two young leads, and creates a compelling image of Dublin that delicately alternates between the sordid and the magical, between washed-out black-and-white and gorgeous color. KISSES is a strong sign of Ireland's resurgent cinema, and it even pays homage to one of its heroes: Keep an eye out for Neil Jordan veteran Stephen Rea's charming uncredited cameo. –Larry Gross, Telluride Film Festival