The film is a true masterpiece, a sublime and brilliantly executed work, especially for a first attempt in the crime/mystery genre in Algeria. Directed by the talented Algerian filmmaker Chakib Taleb Bendiab and featuring an entirely Algerian cast, this film leaves nothing to be desired. The quality of the visuals, sound, and directing is impeccable.
It is surprising and truly unfortunate that a film of this caliber has not found a distributor in France, as it has the potential to fill many theaters. I would like to thank the Algerian Cultural Center for organizing this wonderful screening.
The actors' performances:
Nabil Asli, in the role of Inspector Asasadi, delivers a performance that is both precise and true to his character. His acting remains steady and consistent from beginning to end, much like that of Maryme Marjken, whose expressions and performance maintain the same rhythm-likely a deliberate choice influenced by the script and the director's vision.
Ali Namous is also remarkable, but the real revelation is Hicham Masbeh, who surprises us with his seamless transition from comedy to crime thriller. His performance is simply outstanding, dominating the scenes he appears in. His portrayal is so striking that it sometimes overshadows the other main actors.
Chakib Talbi's performance allows for the full depth of Khaled's character, played by Hicham Masbeh, to be revealed. It even seems as though the director intentionally reduced this character's presence in the middle of the film to balance the attention among the various roles.
Technical aspects:
Cinematography: The visuals are impeccable, featuring many wide shots with pure cinematic quality. Every scene is visually captivating.
Sound: The sound mixing is smooth and clear, perfectly integrated into the action. Every dialogue is intelligible, enhancing the viewer's immersion.
A promising success:
This film marks an outstanding start for Algerian cinema in this particular genre. Productions like this, blending suspense with social drama, naturally attract a wide audience, from cinephiles to general moviegoers.
Special mention:
Hicham Masbeh delivers one of the best performances of his career. His acting in this genre is breathtaking, making it difficult to imagine a better fit for the role.
In summary:
This film is an immersive journey filled with suspense and emotion. One can only hope that the director and his team continue on this path, bringing even more high-quality films to the screen.
