Ali Zaoua (Arabic/French -2000) African film festival


I skipped many of the movies in the ongoing African film festival ,but I wanted to watch this movie after when I saw the stills of this movie.This movie was screened in Alliance franchise in Nungambakkam ,where the hall was running full for the movie and mostly it was new faces and I was not able to see regulars for this movie.

Ali, (Abdelhak Zhayra )Kwita( Mounïm Kbab) Omar(Mustapha Hansali) and Boubker(Hicham Moussoune) are street children. They are bound by an undying friendship despite the difficulties of their daily lives. Ali is killed suddenly in a fight between rival gangs. His three friends now have only one goal: to give him the funeral he deserves.

Its one of the rare real movie and it touches your heart for the life the street children live along their city. The real life of the children and their rival gangs fierce attitude are so well brought in to this 120 minutes movie.The truth about the children are shaking but some of the never seen scenes .The movie reminds of City of Gods but here the children try to pay tribute to their friend Ali than taking the revenge.Some times when you watch movie in a film festival your mind tells you that you are watching a classic movie but above all the real thing comes when you enjoy the movie.This happened to me when I was watching this movie .The little Boubkar and Kwita’s imagination with the hoardings of the street were so beautifully made that when I think with them its real that we imagine the company with things which is impossible to reach.

The movie tries to find a synchronisation between innocence and harsh realities .When we get in to their life things seems to casual and cool but its all on their poverty and hunger they have managed to bring up their energy. The children who star in "Ali Zaoua" were all non-professionals but they have given a splendid performance.

The whole story is set up in Casablanca, where director Nabil Ayouch spent considerable time researching the subject of Morocco's street children to make this movie.I could see some of the well made scenes had come out of the study especially the location where the rival gangs stay.

Next is the Isreli Film festival and I am doubtful on its attendance because of the timings would possibly grab one among the movies .

Comments

Anonymous said…
how would you allocate time to watch so much of movies in short period???
are you a cinematographer?
May 22, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Karthik said…
No I am not a cinematographer..i am not related to cini industry for sure.I love movies thats all.
May 23, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi karthik,
Could you list out some of the hollywood movies' names that are as interesting as titanic??
You had done it at your older posts for a good collection of tamil movies...
May 25, 2008 at 4:41 AM
Karthik said…
Sure ramanan...u can check out great movies tab in my blog Great movies tab,..U can get a collection of good movies in it :)
May 25, 2008 at 9:55 AM
kottees said…
Hi Karthik,

Its true that "ali zaoua" is a must watch movie. I enjoyed watching that movie especially the character of Boubkar was well made.

Why this kind of movies are not coming out from indian directors..

But man u missed Israeli movies...!!!!

Rgds
Kottee
May 31, 2008 at 6:45 AM
Karthik said…
Yeah the character of Boubkar was great and interesting,Every movie land has astyle and Indian movie stick to a style which we like it or dislike we live with it ....:(

Israli movie i wanted to see thee amosgitai movie and Beoufort as I have said many times about the movie but man this after six working hours in the company is eating me :(
May 31, 2008 at 10:54 AM
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