Ali Zaoua, Prinz der Straße

perusing the local library i came across this gem.

the film was released by "filmmovement: a declaration of independents." does anyone have any recommendations for similar type films, possibly by this same publisher?

one of the most chilling, unique, and realistic parts of the film was the abrupt death of "ali" in the beginning. after my expecting of ali to be the main character, i was shocked by his death, but the children live in a merciless world. very realistic as above mentioned.

the gang slogan "life...is a pile of s**t" was a bit depressing. but the overall cheerfulness of the youngest of the three main characters kept my spirits up through the film. "show your pride"... after a goal really cracked me up.

the connection of the 2 suns to the tape in ali's house was an interesting psychological connection thrown in by the author.

my recommendation for more great foreign films: "trois couleurs" directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski and "Obchod na korze" (A Shop on Main Street) by Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos. really great stuff.

Only seldom have I seen a movie that's so realistic. It definitely has an enlighting influence on ones mind. The way you look at the world really does change after seeing those poor and yet so, in a heart-touching way, funny streetchildren. One of my top ten movies, I assure you !!

This movie brings back memories of growing up in morocco, although the movie puts you in the front seat of the realities in real life much of this goes ignored by the rest of the populace. The feeling is of numbness to the harsh realities that these vagabonds have to go through. Most of these kids never make it to adulthood and if they do they are seriously psychologically ill. After watching this movie you will undeniably feel resentment to society and blame yourself for being part of it. Overall I think the movie was well directed, the characters were AMAZING (I hope that they get some type of recognition) some of the scenes are beautifully shot. Vote 10+ from my part

There's a saying in Morocco that says "A coincidence, is better than a thousand appointments." so how cool is it when the best movie that you've ever seen is the movie that you saw on your very first time to a cinema. I had 10 years old and there was this local movie that got everybody (grown-ups) talking about it, i remember it was a week-end me and my mom went to see my welthy aunt (we were lower class) and my nephew took me with him to the cinema.... I remember me after that movie going in streets like them kids (in the movie) and singing their song... now it's been 15 years and i have seen a lot of french and american movies but above them all stays "Ali Zaoua" as my personal best. I've lost count of how many times i've seen it again and again the movie is unbelievably realistic and heart-warming and whenever i see it, it gets me so nostalgic and reminiscing about my childhood... Another magic fact in my relation with this masterpiece is that the leading actor (Hicham Moussoune) was related to my neighbors and was about my age, so we were sort of "friends" we played in the street a time or two!! There were also great actors in this movie like "Saïd Taghmaoui" who became a hoolywood Star.

This is definitely one of the best films that i've seen lately. It tells the story of Moroccan street children who live in the filth of the gutters of present-day Casablanca. These homeless urchins, with a few exceptions, make up a gang of at least 75-100 kids who pick pockets, sniff glue and are led by Dib, a modern-day Fagin. A band of 3 ids, following a dreamer- Ali Zaoua, splits from this gang. When Ali is killed by a kid from the gang, the story begins.

We follow these children as they try to give Ali a funeral, and what we see in their world is at times terrifying, or at least extremely upsetting and unsettling. Part of what makes the film so effective is that the children are not actors- they are real street children. they are not Hollywood's dirty Orphan Annies, in pre-stained clothing and manufactured dirt- they are real. Dib is one of the few professional actors in the film. It is at times difficult to see because of this. Still, Ali Zaoua is an extremely good and possibly great film.