Viva Laldjérie (2004) Reviews
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful I cant imagine youll find a more fascinating film for our current times that VIVA LALDJERIE. Made in 2004, it tells the story of several women in present-day Algeria and their struggles with men, ... Read More I cant imagine youll find a more fascinating film for our current times that VIVA LALDJERIE. Made in 2004, it tells the story of several women in present-day Algeria and their struggles with men, themselves, feminism and the current economic, political and religious situation--a rich and eye-opening look at a country still struggling mightily to find itself and its place in the eastern/western world. Here, the police will not touch anything involving terrorism (read religious fundamentalism) for fear of their own well-being, a john turns from pleasurable sex partner to nemesis, and our heroine creates the situation that reigns down horror on her best friend. The performers are wonderful, the writing and direction strong and clear, and the movie makes you question, think and wonder: how do these people and their country manage in the midst of such mind-boggling contradictions. And yet, this is a supremely beautiful film: the scenery, the architecture, the sky, the sea. Rent! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful The lasting impact of "decadent" French culture on the people of Algiers, some four and a half decades after France withdrew from her colony, was the big surprise for me. (I spent some time in ... Read More The lasting impact of "decadent" French culture on the people of Algiers, some four and a half decades after France withdrew from her colony, was the big surprise for me. (I spent some time in Algeria many years ago, but in the central and southern regions, where French influence has long since vanished.) This is a good (if not great) film, with good performances and a good story. As a window on an unusual culture, it is worth your attention. [Subtitles.] Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful This is one of the best films I have seen (and I've seen a great deal of world cinema). It is a very real film about living in Algeria. I watched it twice and realized that there were aspects of it ... Read More This is one of the best films I have seen (and I've seen a great deal of world cinema). It is a very real film about living in Algeria. I watched it twice and realized that there were aspects of it one might not absolutely pick up on if you are not Algerian. One important factor is that they were living in a hotel in Algiers because Islamic fundamentalists controlled the area where they owned a flat. It is truly fantastic film if your are open to subtleness of the film recreating the life of a culture drastically different from your own. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful for a great sit down movie, this is it. wonderful scenery, sweet plot & nice story. life is hard sometimes,this shows your past can never be forgotten. seductive in every way, this is a hit. your ... Read More for a great sit down movie, this is it. wonderful scenery, sweet plot & nice story. life is hard sometimes,this shows your past can never be forgotten. seductive in every way, this is a hit. your emotions are delighted. loved it! Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful "Variety" Review: Just another soap opera in less deft hands, Nadir Mokneche's "Viva Laldjerie" jumps off the screen with humor, poignancy and local color. Contempo tale, of a headstrong 27-year-old ... Read More "Variety" Review: Just another soap opera in less deft hands, Nadir Mokneche's "Viva Laldjerie" jumps off the screen with humor, poignancy and local color. Contempo tale, of a headstrong 27-year-old and her ex-cabaret dancer mother forced to make their way in Algiers as creeping fundamentalism undermines even the arts, brims with telling incidents, touching details and human drama. By LISA NESSELSON Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful This wasn't a movie about women's experiences. It was a movie about the director's prurient interest of the activities "women of ill-repute" -- not their deeper thoughts. There were two shots of ... Read More This wasn't a movie about women's experiences. It was a movie about the director's prurient interest of the activities "women of ill-repute" -- not their deeper thoughts. There were two shots of female frontal nudity -- no male nudity at all -- as if to label the women as whores. Of course, "whores" ended with terrible fates as if to show them a listen. An awful movie. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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