Youssef Diawara Movies
Set in a rent-controlled Paris suburb populated entirely by North Africans, this comedy of music and cross-culturalism centers on a battle waged between the neighborhood youth, who are seeking a way in which to integrate their native cultures with French ways, and the fundamentalist Muslim faction who insist that separatism and staunch adherence to their faith is the only way to live. Rachid and Krimo (played by popular Algerian Rai singers Khaled and Cheb Mami) are the leaders of Rap Oriental, a pop band that combines Rai music with rap/hip-hop. Their radical music gets the two in trouble with the local leader Slimane, a hypocritical bigot who makes money by strong-arming area merchants. Slimane proclaims that Islam, not music, is what modern youth need to stay out of trouble. The mayor supports him and this has a divisive effect on the band. A comedy with a satirical edge that takes many swipes at religious fundamentalism, the film has earned director Mahmoud Zemmouri, who has lived in Paris for 15 years, death threats from Islamic extremists. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
An international assassin known only as Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant) carries out high-profile hits for a mysterious organization known only as "The Agency" in this adaptation of the popular Eidos Interactive video-game series. Agent 47 is an elite, genetically engineered assassin who takes great pride in his work. His lethal grace, steady shot, and unparalleled precision have all served to make him one of the most sought-after assassins in the world. But when the killer without a conscience is faced with an unanticipated series of developments, his entire perception of reality begins to shift. On assignment to take out Russian head of state Belicoff (Ulrich Thomsen), Agent 47 is caught off guard by the appearance of presidential look-alikes. When the high-profile hit captures the attention of such powerful intelligence organizations as the CIA and Interpol, agent Mike Whittier (Dougray Scott) is dispatched to rein Agent 47 in. Meanwhile, a mysterious Russian prostitute named Nika (Olga Kurylenko) has walked into Agent 47's life, causing the methodical killer to become overwhelmed by emotions that were previously foreign to him. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, (more)
In this tribute to the Spaghetti Western, amiable ex-con Gerard (Samuel Le Bihan) agrees to help his boss' nephew infiltrate an urban fortress to carry off a drug deal with representatives of mob boss Ludo Daes (Jean-Pierre Kalfon). Unfortunately, the nephew goes a bit nuts and causes a shoot-out, and Gerard is the only one to emerge from the fracas alive. Armed with a duffel bag full of several million of Daes' francs, he flees Paris for the countryside and finds work at an isolated cheese-producing farm, where his co-workers are six inner-city toughs being given a chance to reform their lives outside of prison. Gerard starts to eke out an agreeable existence with the delinquents, but Daes wants his cash back, and, in the company of some Central European thugs, pays Gerard a visit. Together with the kids, Gerard attempts to outsmart the mobster. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Samuel Le Bihan, Jean-Pierre Kalfon, (more)
