The Repentant (Le Repenti)
Arab Feature Film Competition
Merzak Allouache / Feature Narrative / Algeria, France / 2012 / 87 min / Colour / DCP
In Arabic / English subtitles
Interests: Drama
MENA Premiere
Synopsis
Algerian director Merzak Allouache’s award-winning ‘The Repentant’ digs deep into Algeria’s ‘black decade’ for a close look at the lingering effects of extremism and the nation’s recent civil war. When the government enacts a law that provides amnesty to rebels who lay down their arms, Rashid, a jihadist fighter, leaves his hideout in the mountains, rejects violence and returns home. He gets a job at a café and begins to reintegrate into society, but when a pharmacist acquaintance asks Rashid to reveal secrets about his family, his life takes an unforgettable and emotional turn. A precise narrative style and distinguished performances from the cast allow Allouache to place viewers at the heart of this engaging and deeply touching story. The film appeared at the second edition of the Arab Spring Film Festival in Paris in September, and was selected for the Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
About the Directors
© Brigitte Lacombe
Born in 1944, Merzak Allouache studied film in his native Algeria and subsequently at IDHEC in Paris. ‘Omar Gatlato’, his 1976 debut (also screening at DTFF), marked the birth of the new Algerian cinema. His other films include ‘Bab-el-Oued City’ (1993), ‘Salut cousin!’ (1995) and ‘Normal!’, which won Best Film here last year.
Credits
- Director
- Merzak Allouache
- Screenwriter
- Merzak Allouache
- Producer
- Yacine Djabi
- Editor
- SYLVIE GADMER
- Co-Producer
- Jacques Bidou, Marianne Dumoulin
- Cinematographer
- MOHAMED TAYEB LAGGOUNE
- Sound
- ALI MAHFICHE, XAVIER THIBAULT, Carole Verner, JULIEN PEREZ
- Cast
- Nabil Asli, Adila Bendimerad, Khaled Benaissa