AMOR HAKKAR

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BB

Original title:  Quelques Jours De Repit

France/Algeria, 2010.  Sarah Films, HA Films, Région Franche-Comté.  Screenplay by Amor Hakkar.  Cinematography by Nicolas Roche.  Produced by Florence Bouteloup.  Production Design by Kim-Kim Nezzar.  Costume Design by Kim-Kim Nezzar.  Film Editing by Juliette Kempf.  

Two men escape from Iran because their sexual orientation has placed them in danger of being killed, and find themselves in a French town hoping to settle into their new home. Despite being in a more “tolerant” country, the men still find themselves in danger considering that their illegal immigration has put the police on the lookout.  They get a bit of luck when one of them becomes friends with a kind woman (Marina Vlady) and she gives him a place to stay and some work; despite the fact that he shouldn’t have reason to fear, the older of the two men keeps his companion a secret from her. What should be a politically impressive, not to mention absorbing, drama is actually a giant bore, the film is far too concerned with its message and forgets to be in the slightest bit diverting. Great performances, but the direction is sluggish and the atmosphere fails to draw the viewer in.