Cheb Mami Movies
- 2001
This concert documentary, originally shown in the big-definition, giant-screen IMAX process, offers a glimpse of some of pop music's biggest stars working their magic on stage and discussing their craft behind the scenes. The Dave Matthews Band teams up with soul music legend Al Green for a version of Green's classic "Take Me to the River". George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic roar through a medley of their ground-breaking funk hits "Flashlight" and "One Nation Under a Groove", with hip-hop diva Mary J. Blige sitting in on vocals. Blues legend B.B. King and jam-rock kingpin Trey Anastasio (of the group Phish) bring their guitars together as they join up with the Roots for a unique version of "Rock Me Baby". Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and veteran guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana take their Grammy-award winning number "Smooth" to the stage. Sting and Algerian superstar Cheb Mami sing together on "Desert Moon". Sheryl Crow turns in a stripped-down acoustic performance of "If It Makes You Happy". And Macy Gray, Kid Rock, and Moby also turn in performances of their hits. All Access: Front Row. Backstage. Live! was directed by famed rock photographer Martyn Atkins. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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
