Africa at the Oscars
Hors las Loi or Outside the Law (Rachid Boucharab,2010) is the third best foreign language film nomination for Bouchareb and rightly so.His film repertoire includes the topics of political oppression, battle for national identity and a knack for melodrama- <–definitely steers the viewer along. Set during the 40’s and 60’s when the french were dealing with conflicts in Indochina.Two brothers: one joins the french in the war, the other seeks other suspicious avenues to make a living. All of this takes place in a backdrop reminiscent of American gangster films.
Reasons to watch
- It’s a crime saga, historical drama, and action flick effectively rolled into one.
- Every filmmaker whether even if they denied it take a position in the stories they tell. It may be biased and obvious but Bouchareb sort of compels you to choose his side, his views.
- It highlights the brutal duels between the National Liberation front(the group that fought to obtain independence for Algeria) and the Algerian national movement (Headed by Algerians; founded to rebel against the FLN. Also rumored to have been funded by the french). You get a chance to see the point of view on both sides and what drives them.
