“Rengaine” (France, 2012, 75’) at L’Espace.
Director: Rachid Djaïdani
Casting: Slimane Dazi, Sabrina Hamida, Stephane Soo Mongo
A powerful movie full of rage and emotion
Dorcy, a young black Christian, wants to marry Sabrina, a young North African muslim. But Sabrina has forty brothers, and this carefree, loving marriage of hers is going to be a crystallization of a taboo that is firmly rooted in the mentalities of these two communities: no marriage between Blacks and Arabs.
Slimane, the oldest brother and the guardian of traditions, will oppose this union in every way possible. Marked by idiosyncratic cinematography and shot (almost) entirely with hand-held cameras, with its frequent and sometimes nauseating cuts this movie might scare away many after the first few minutes. But it is precisely this deliberate insolence which gives it its charm, the impressionistic takes and inquiring close-ups adding an 'underground' feel. This is complemented by a kind of self-reflection: the abduction scenes parodically referencing the problems faced by independent filmmakers.
And then there is the theme, the racial conflicts between Christians, Muslims and Jews, the bounds of tradition put to the test by love. A theme adapted on screen so many times in contemporary francophone cinema we stopped counting. Yet here is a fresh approach, indicated by the original title of the movie. 'Rengaine' means 'an old chestnut', that is, a subject which has been discussed or repeated so many times that it is not interesting any more. This movie succeeds in being a hilariously funny comedy and a drama at the same time, by approaching its material with subtle and intelligent humor with a shade of parody; and, on the other hand, treating the underlying human conflicts seriously. The last scene is especially well crafted in this context, both suspenseful and deep.
“Rengaine” will be screened on Sun 05 Mar 2017, 6 pm at L’Espace.