Mess Hattou
- 1999
A group of Tunisian motorcycle enthusiasts look for adventure and find tragedy in this contemporary drama. Five young people in their early 20's -- four men and a woman -- head out for the highway on their bikes, hoping to see a larger part of the world. One night, while partying on a boat owned by the family of one of the cyclists, an argument turns deadly and the four surviving members of the group are at odds on how to deal with the crime. Dominique Le Rigoleur's photography provides many of the highlights of this youth-oriented outing. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mess Hattou, Mohamed Hedi Moumen, (more)
- 1996
The comedy in this lively film barely conceals its darker, more serious undertones as it chronicles a young Algerian's eye-opening introduction to the joys and travails of being an immigrant in Paris. Alilo has left his home to pick up an important suitcase for his employer. Unfortunately, he has lost the Parisian address. Fortunately, his cousin Mok, emigrated there several years before with his middle-class family before and is able to act as a guide. Mok, an aspiring rap singer, comes from a middle-class family, but chooses to live on his own in the dilapidated deteriorating 18th district, known as 'Moskova.' Mok characterizes the place as a haven for artists and intellectuals, but it is plainly just a Third World slum filled with tightly knit and colorful neighbors. Mok and Alilo have many interesting, some tragedy-tinged adventures over the five days it takes them to find the suitcase. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gad Elmaleh, Mess Hattou, (more)
