MovieChat Forums > Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue (2000) Discussion > Criticism

Criticism

posted 16 years ago by lhommeinsipide
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm surprised this film has come under such negative criticism. Okay, it hasn't been outright panned, but quite a few of the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes imply that it has no aim but to make Western audiences feel guilty. I personally thought that Ayouch's direction here is solid and the characters were more than compelling, they were very alive. While it is devastating that these children are in this predicament, this film was in no way played just for the sympathy vote. In a similar manner to City of God, this film affords less time for pity and more for character development - we as viewers are meant to indulge in their stories rather than tut at how deplorable their lives are. Those who thought it was a poorly-made attempt at making Westerners feel worse about themselves were obviously watching a different film.

My top 20 films: http://www.shompy.com/theeye23/l30156_ukuk.html

[–] arlond 16 years ago

if you watched the movie , and all you got it that..
then i guess you have some problems man ..
get help before it's too late

[–] lhommeinsipide 16 years ago

Is that directed at me?

My top 20 films: http://www.shompy.com/theeye23/l30156_ukuk.html

[–] arlond 16 years ago

no it's directed to the other guy in this message board
ohh wait ...it's just you and me here

get it or still need a hint

[–] lhommeinsipide 16 years ago

You may have been talking about people who only felt it was played for the sympathy vote, a valid use of the pronoun "you" (pl.).

I'm not sure what you find so shocking about my interpretation of the film. The characters are rich and their stories involving and important. Perhaps you inferred that I was ignoring the context and enjoying the film as a light-hearted drama, but if all you can take away from the film is that Morocco is a horrible place for kids, as some reviews noted, then you may have missed the point. Nabil Ayouch's careful scripting and direction make these boys' stories more real and, in a way, more accessible - a documentary on the same subject might have chosen to substitute personal accounts from the kids for facts and stats, making it harder to relate to the people and thus more difficult to perceive their situation.

My top 20 films: http://www.shompy.com/theeye23/l30156_ukuk.html

[–] LoizaAldea 11 years ago

I discovered this film about a year ago and it melted my heart. This movie is some kids reality. Could be here in the U.S. or any country. But, it's the directors vision of what happens in Morocco. Kudos to him for making a wonderful, enlightening movie that this westerner adores.