Traitors

"Traitors" (2013 release from Morocco; 83 min.) brings the story of Malika, a 25 yr. old woman in Tangiers, Morocco. As the movie opens, we see an all-girl punk band (named Traitors) during band practice as Malika wails "I am bored with Morocco!". A producer gets wind of the band, and when Malika meets the producer, the producer suggests recoding a demo in a professional studio. Of course, that is quite expensive and none of the Traitors girls can afford it. Malika, determined to grab this opportunity come hell or high water, decides to become a driver for a local drug gang so as to earn the necessary amount of money to go into the recording studio. As this point we are about 15-20 min. into the movie, but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the feature-length debut from writer-director Sean Gullette, best known for his acting (in movies such as Pi and Requiem For a Dream). Gullette made "Traitors" first as a shortie (more on that later). There are two main aspects to this movie: on the one hand, how a free-spirit punk rocker girl like Malika can survive in a conservative society as Morocco (at one point Malika's dad exasperates "You are 25, with no job and no husband. Don't you know what people think about that?"), and on the other hand the drug-gang related story line. From my perspective the society-related aspects work much better, and frankly also resonate deeper. Chaimae Ben Acha in the role of Malika brings a commanding break-out performance, just beautiful. Bottom line: "Traitors" is a fine movie, and I pretty much enjoyed it from start to finish. Not to mention that at just over 80 min., this flew by in no time.

"Traitors" is the February, 2015 release from Film Movement's on-going DVD-of-the-Month club of foreign and indie movies. As is always the case, the DVD comes with a bonus shortie, and this time we get the original "Traitors" (2011 release; 31 min.), and it's quite interesting to see which elements were transposed from the original shortie to the feature-length, and which didn't. Bottom line: "Traitors" is a worthy addition to the ever-growing Film Movement catalog of foreign and indie movies.

American writer/director Sean Gullette takes a stab at creating an art film made in Morocco and in many ways succeeds. The film is shot in Arabic, French and English with subtitles.

Tomboy Malika, a young punk rocker is desperate to make money and becomes the leader of Traitors, an all-female punk rock band, has a strong vision of the world, her hometown of Tangier, and her place in it. When a producer offers to help her cut a demo if she can pay for the studio, she has to work at her mechanic father's garage. There she meets minor gangster Samir, who offers her a big chunk of change if she'll help smuggle hashish from Morocco. Border controls, meaner gangsters and a burnt out fellow mule create predictable problems. Though the story is sluggish and predictable it is refreshing to see an Arabic woman with ambitions beyond marriage. WE also get a stronger inside look at the underbelly of Tangiers without the car chases and explosions that usually accompany films about Morocco. Chaimae Ben Acha as Malika gives evidence of a strong actress in the making.

This Moroccan film is set in Tangiers; we meet Malika who is the lead singer of an all girl punk band 'Traitors'. They have an interesting homage to the Clash in 'I'm so bored with Morocco'. Then they get the chance of a record deal, but the catch is they have to make their own demo and pay for the studio time.

Being young they are all a bit light on money and all feel something will come up. Malika then meets a wheelchair bound drug crim in Samir. He makes her a lucrative offer, but she will need to drive a consignment of drugs from the factory to the port. After some reluctance she accepts. Once committed she is partnered up with a worn out drug mule and they are set on their way. What started out as a means to get some extra cash takes on a whole new meaning once Malika realises what she is dealing with.

This is a film from American director Sean Gullette and he has given us a crime based Moroccan film that avoids a lot of clichés in terms of car chases etc. We also have a woman lead who is far from conventional and Chaimae Ben Acha as Malika puts in a noteworthy performance. In Arabic, French and some English with good sub titles in English. This is a film where the plot is a simple one, but the fabric around it adds to the complexity and makes for a compelling and rewarding watch

This engaging Moroccan drama held my interest throughout its duration. It has believable characters, and is quite well acted, written, and directed.

Chaimae Ben Acha is superb, as Malika, who's a tough-minded aspiring 25-year-old punk-rock singer and leader of her band Traitors. A record producer expresses interest in her music, but to cut a demo Malika will have to quickly come up with enough money to rent a studio. She also finds out that her family is facing eviction and has many unpaid bills as well.

Desperate for the cash, she agrees to take a risky driving job from a local drug dealer (Mourade Zeguendi), which will lead to harrowing occurrences along the way. On this job, she will meet another courier Amal, well portrayed by Souffia Issami, who is pregnant and desperate to get out of the drug courier trade. This will all lead to a somewhat implausible but still quite ingenious finale.

Sean Gullette makes an impressive feature film debut here, both as writer and director. I will look forward to see what his future work will bring to the screen.

In summary, I didn't know what to expect from this film, so was pleasantly surprised at its engrossing nature.