7ème ciel

Guillaume Foirest is definitely a good director, and I am saying this after looking at this short film which lasts just under 40 minutes. It is raw and gives a vivid picture of what it is like for a young man in the suburbs who realises that despite asking money for sex, that he is not as apart from homosexuality as he thought he was. His revelation of the fact he is enjoying it is with an older man in a sadomasochistic sex session. One image and no spoilers. The image of him running through the barren streets with a dog collar around his neck. Riveting to watch it made me want to watch it twice, and all the performances are first class. A must see film. ' Sauvage ' was. And so is this.

A story of angry, secrets, family, ghetto and the choice who remains the fundamental provocation. A young man defining to himself. In simple terms. Not with real honesty. Not great but nice. For the use of bitterness.

This has so many cultural references that all come together in the end. Sofiane and his thuggish mates live a macho, aimless life of crime and violence in the cité, their council estate. Not a hint of weakness or kindness can seep through even in private or away from the milieu in which they operate. Sofiane has, as well as his drug deals, a secret sideline as a rent boy. He claims to be active only and therefore straight and that's another cultural reference - Arab guys don't consider themselves to be gay if they refuse penetration.

As he hardest lad on the block, he has the prettiest girlfriend whom he uses as a cover and treats badly, hanging her up and disrespecting her. She hasn't got a clue.

It becomes clear that he is dangerously involved with an older guy who pays him to be submissive as part of an S&M relationship. This finally wakes Sofiane up to his true self.

The casting is impeccable, the acting is excellent, the dialogue was vraisemblable - I speak fluent French but had some difficulty with the slang the "cailleras" were using. Cinematography was just perfect - shots of the city, faces, bodies, action were apt in every scene.

I particularly liked the scenes at home that were so true to life of an immigrant Maghrebi family that is poor but virtuous and helpless faced with the forces shaping their son.

This is the second time I've seen this film, the first being three or four years ago. I can imagine myself watching this again in the future. Absolutely recommended.