How is it?

I just saw this movie last weekend as part of my university's French Film festival. It was a very moving film- it is not what I would consider "glossy" at all. There is no restraint in showing the good and the bad of modern life in Algeria; the views of the people at the beginning and closing of the film really portray what seems to be an honest representation. I do not even think it could be considered "artsy;" it is the recounting of the lives of three women who live in the same hotel, but lead very different lives. There is no magical realism like in Amelie or long stretches of silence with imagery as in Brodeuses. I cannot think of an equivalent in American film since all too often our theatres are flooded with movies with identical storylines (kid goes to college, parties and madness ensues or two people who should be together but just don't realize it yet finally get together).

There are a few scenes where Papicha, Goucem's mother, is a bit over the top, but I think it has more to do with her character then her acting abilities. Since she plays an ex-cabaret dancer and singer, she must have a certain flair for the dramatic! The other characters are quite believable for the roles in which they have been cast.

I do not proclaim to know a lot about Algerian history, though I studied it briefly in a course on Francophone countries (essentially the ex-colonies). The film does play up on the religious and cultural strife felt between the groups in Algeria (les pieds-noirs, Muslims, etc.) especially in the dialogue from Papicha. I would highly recommend seeing the film if you have not; it is well worth a viewing.