By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2 cats
Director: Rachid Djaïdani
Starring: Sabrina Hamida | Slimane Dazi | Stéphane Soo Mongo
Country: france
Year: 2013
Running time: 78
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2216240/combined
Kyle says: “RENGAINE is called a ‘no-budget urban drama’ in the New Directors/New Films program note; this is obvious from the number of duties director Rachid Djaïdani is credited for in the end titles. So let us issue a shout-out to the idea of independent cinema with this French variation on ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with a Black Christian boy as the Montague, and an Arab Muslim girl as the Capulet. They are in love and want to marry, the fact of which sends his friends and her family right around the bend with prejudice and taboo. Her brothers, in fact, appeal to the head of the family to prevent the marriage in whatever way necessary. That brother has his own issues, such as a Jewish girlfriend and an ostracized gay brother. A scene of torture that turns out to be something other than what we think we are watching sent a number of audience members to the exits. The idea of tolerance for inter-racial and inter-religious relationships is far from novel, and the film seems overstretched even at 75 minutes. But the on-the-street immediacy of the camera work is invigorating, and the first-feature director’s enthusiasm for his work is undeniable. 2 cats
“Screened Friday, March 22, 2013, New Directors/New Films at the Walter Reade Theater, Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York.”