Adhen
Dernier Maquis
International Showcase
(France , Algeria, 93 mins)
In French with English subtitles
35mm
Directed By: Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche
Screenwriters: Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche, Louise Thermes
Cinematographer: Irina Lubtchansky
Editor: Nicolas Bancilhon
Cast: Salim Ameur-Zaïmeche, Abel Jafri, Sylvain Roume, Christian Milia-Darmezin
Music: Sylvain Rifflet
In this visually striking film about religious observances and living wages, writer-director Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche also stars as the owner of an industrial pallet and truck repair yard on the outskirts of Paris. Nicknamed “Mao” by his employees—largely Arab and African Muslim immigrants—he likes to do what he can to keep everyone happy and productive, as long as it doesn’t affect his bottom line. The delicate accord between labor and management goes awry when, in a gesture meant to emphasize the connection between devotion to Allah and a good work ethic, Mao converts an unused portion of the yard into an ad hoc mosque. But instead of placating the workers, Mao’s efforts simply turn the heat up on some long simmering resentments that, to his surprise, are about to boil over.
Although Adhen deals directly with some heady topics—religion, immigration, unionization—it never becomes didactic, always tempering its politics with a working class sense of humor. With a gift for crafting believable, interesting characters, Ameur-Zaïmeche puts human faces on real world problems.
-- Doug Jones
If you like this film, try these:
(Netherlands , 2008, 93mins)
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