Aala Kaf Ifrit

First, I gotta say this is my first review ever.

Second, I heard a lot about this movie, that recently it was nominated to represent Tunisia in Oscar's pre-selection nominees.. So, I kinda expected too much, but I also expected some kind of disappointment (My country's filmmaking industry is so bad.. Like really really bad). I was surprised though. The directing made a huge difference, focusing on little details that are extremely important yet usually ignored. (Like That scene when they were heading back after the legal physical check). The acting also, especially by Youssef and the majority of the cops, was surprisingly remarkable. Another remarkable point, how the director wass successful in: 1 Bringing clear the circumstances of the rape case without showing the scene. 2 Not using a violent language, something others would think necessary regarding the context of the movie. These two points are considered "a big deal" in such a religious country.

Third, despite all the appreciation for Mariem's acting, I don't think she did a great job, because playing as a leading role, you got to do much more, especially the non-verbal acting, she kinda made some awkward scenes.

In total, I was satisfied, I highly recommend it if you're not Tunisian.

This film had broad international production support including several European countries. Filmed and storied out of Tunisia it's message has broad application to all countries where power and authority bullies & threatens individual rights even so far as terrorizing their citizens. We have institutionalized political & religious brutality in this film as a female college student attending a school party encounters the police. Her quest for justice is hampered by being a liberal female in a conservative country. Kafkaesque, but is there still hope? Despite the verbal/physical battering by police her resoluteness grows, but again perhaps too late. Intelligently written & directed, but it's the acting (often non-verbal) by Mariam Al Ferjan that engages & captures your attention, and worthy of an award.

A young woman is raped by two cops. She wants justice. The result - a terrible night in which cynismus, corruption, buraucracy, cowardies, lies, revenge, noble gestures of an old man, are mixed. A beautiful film for precise verdict about near reality. Powerful, cold, for me , reminding the atmosphere of Romanians films after 1990 year. Short, a film about fears. And about justice, more as noble intention. Admirable the work of Mariam Al Ferjani.

This was a really interesting film from Tunisia depicting as well as scathing the unbelievable bureaucracy and corruption of the country's authorities, especially of the police force. The film begins with our protagonist, Mariam, a young college student who attends a party in a luxurious hotel where she meets Youssef, a young man who seems to like her.

In the next shot we see Mariam in a dreadful, confused state as we learn that she was raped by a gang if three police officers. Youssef is still standing by her side and tries to help her to file a formal complaint against the police. In the beginning of the film we witness Youssef and Mariam's journey in the Tunisian healthcare system as she needs a certificate proving that she was raped. The behavior of the hospital personnel is risk-averse and decidophobic and nobody seems to be willing to help the poor girl. After that, our two protagonists will have to go to the police station in order to file the complaint against the three rapists. Of course Tunisian police officers are not happy to investigate a possible atrocity committed by their colleagues.

"Beauty and the Dogs" is a film about the people's need to embrace basic human rights and not compromise even when the odds and circumstances are against you. I've read in some reviews written by Tunisian people that this movie is a rather realistic account of the country's current condition. It is heavily implied that the subject is powerless against the arbitrariness of the authorities and the existence of the law is not enough to prevent the abuse of power by them.

The performances of both the protagonists (Mariam Al Ferjani and Ghanem Zrelli) are excellent as they are natural and unselfconscious while the direction by Kaouther Ben Hania is successful in portraying a decaying country where the system is so bent that there is truly no hope. I enjoyed "Beauty and the Dogs" and I can recommend it without any reservation to all cinema lovers and chiefly to those who are keen on seeing movies with a strong political dimension.

To see that cops are the same the world over. Powerful but depressing :(