LA NUIT DU DESTIN
NIGHT OF FATE |
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Director:
Abdelkrim Bahloul
Screenplay: Abdelkrim Bahloul with Pascal Bonitzer and Neïla
Chekkat.
Cast: Philippe Volter, Boris Terral, Gamil Ratib, Sonia Mankaï,
Marie-Josée Nat.
Awards: Best Director and Best Film (All Africa Films Awards, 1998).
Running time: 95'
Year of production: 1998
Rating: Not rated
Gauge: 35mm (color)
Distributor: Art Mattan
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“If
one of you sees a wrongdoing, he should intervene; if he can’t,
then he should publicly condemn it; if he can’t do that either,
he should decry it in his heart: that is the bare minimum of faith.”
Hadith of the prophet, Muhammad. |
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One
night in the Arab quarter of Paris, Mr. Slimani, an old Muslim (Ratib),
witnesses a murder as he heads through the park on his way to the
local mosque. Spotted by the killers, he flees for his life and takes
refuge in the mosque among a crowd of worshippers. The killers chase
him inside but cannot find him. Afraid for his life, Slimani decides
to keep his knowledge a secret and not to testify. The police attempt
to reach the sole eyewitness who would give them the evidence they
need, but find the Arab community divided: some want to help in the
investigation, others want to close ranks to protect themselves from
undue media attention and the increased discrimination they fear it
will bring. Detective Leclerc (Volter) manages to make contacts in
the Arab community, including Slimani's liberal-minded son, Alilou
(Terral). When Slimani suddenly flees to Algeria, Alilou realizes
that his father is the eyewitness and decides to stand in for him,
risking his life in the hope that justice will be served, but also
that he will win the respect of his devout, conservative father. Simul-taneously
a political thriller, a family drama, and a realistic portrait of
race relations in northern Paris, the film even-handedly examines
the social and ethical dilemmas of contemporary Franco-Arab communities.
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| PHOTO Courtesy
of Art Mattan |
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