100% ARABICA
Year: 1997
Country:
France/Belgium/Switzerland
Run Time:
85 minutes
Fundamentalist minister opposes the pop songs and dance crazes sweeping town. Determined young people defy his intolerance, celebrating life and the freedom to rock out. "Footloose" again? Wrong! A North African immigrant quarter on the outskirts of Paris is the stage for Mahmoud Zemmouri's lively and pointed comedy, set in the lower rungs of French-Arab society, where an opportunistic little Napoleon named Slimane finds militant Islam his key to the rackets. Through a Machiaevellian mix of fiery preaching and simple thuggery, Slimane's mosque mob keeps a lid on violent crime and disorder in the 'hood, efforts much appreciated and rewarded by a district mayor up for re-election. But another force grows in the alleys and tenements, luring residents away from Slimane's hypocrisy. It's ra? music, a catchy blend of traditional Arab chant and modern rhythm and rap. Young people formerly embroiled in gangs form musical groups and arrange concerts rather than riots. With real-life ra? stars Khaled and Cheb Mami in main roles, you can drink up 100% ARABICA as a savory taste of world beat, snapshots of a Paris that tourists never see, and the eternal theme of liberty vs. censorship, probably as old as music itself. (In French and Arabic with English subtitles)
Screenplay
Mahmoud Zemmouri, Marie-Laurence Attias
Director
Mahmoud Zemmouri
Producer
Mahmoud Zemmouri
Cinematography
No?l Very, Jean-Claude Vicquery
Editing
Youcef Tobni
Principal Cast
Khaled, Mouss, Cheb Mami, Youssef Diawara, Patrice Thibaud, Najim Laouriga, Rachel Khalil, Farid Fedjer
Les Films Alba Longa
9, rue Quentin Bauchart
75008 Paris
FRANCE
tel: (33-1) 47 23 36 68
fax: (33-1) 40 70 09 20
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