Cheikh Doukouré Movies

A caustic apartment owner finds her attempts to evict the ragtag occupants of a 3,000 square foot rent-controlled apartment challenged in a most unexpected way in director Pascal Thomas' communal comedy. Thanks to a legal loophole known as "the Law of 1948," a cap was placed on some rental units around Paris preventing real-estate speculation. As long as the original resident still resides on the premises, the statue still applies. Though Marie-Antionette (Gisele Casadesus)'s name does indeed remain on the lease, the free-spirited grandmother rarely stays at the apartment for any extended length, leaving Francisca (Laetitia Casta), her husband Martin (Mathieu Amalric), and the couple's daughter the primary beneficiaries of the unique law. Of course with all of that room there's plenty of space for others to enjoy, and in addition to three of Francisca's best friends additional occupants include a senile grandmother (Carmen Durand) and egocentric independent filmmaker Adrien (Pierre Arditi). When acrimonious landlord Charlotte Falingard (Noemie Lvovsky) makes it her mission to clear out the apartment in order to turn a tidy profit, former law student Francesca stands firm in challenging the conviction by putting her education to good use. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Arthur Rimbaud, the title character of this film, was a noted French poet who at the age 26 abandoned his profession to become a North African trader/wanderer. This epic biopic tells his strange and tragic tale. A rather depressive and tormented soul, Rimbaud began his adventures in the early 1800s in a coastal village in Abysinia (modern-day Ethiopia). He joined an expedition and began an arduous journey across the Sahara. During the entire trip, the morose Rimbaud said nothing. Upon reaching their final destination, Rimbaud is horrified to see that the streets are ruled by packs of wild dogs. He attempts to rectify this by poisoning the beasts, an act that makes him unwelcome amongst the locals. Next, Rimbaud begins working with a gun runner and sets off to sell arms to a powerful African ruler. A double cross spells tragedy for the poet. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

With a little bit of magic, a young boy is granted his wish and becomes a professional soccer player in this fairy tale from French New Guinea. Bandian, who lives in a poor village, seems to have a knack for playing soccer. The village witch doctor helps him by rubbing magical herbs upon his legs. His math teacher tells him that he will have to haul wood after school for 320,000 days before he will be able to afford a real leather soccer ball. He is given one by a European doctor. After that, the boy's success is assured. The story is enhanced by local African music. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A European humanitarian organization tries to bring relief to the famine-stricken Sahel region of North Africa in this satirical comedy. The convoy of five trucks is victimized by rebel guerillas and marauding tribes and is soon lost in the desert. When two party members try to leave, they end up being eaten by cannibals, and the Africans end up being irritated that the relief aid does more harm than good. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

In this comedy-drama, Manu (Gerard Lanvin) and Momo (Jacques Villeret) are two men who are at first unwittingly involved in a drug deal, but then get quite wittingly involved when they realize that there may be some money to be had in the sale of illegal substances. Once they decide to launch into this dubious vocation, they get caught in several difficult situations. On their supposed way to making a really big splash, they set out to steal drugs from the police station's confiscated stash. Disguised as cleaning women, the two men grab a vacuum and try to suck up as much white powder as they can. Their antics and the film's explicit sympathy for the two pushers caused some considerable controversy before the release date in France. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Broken English is a sincerely felt but somewhat anachronistic film predicated on the theme of miscegenation. White leading lady Beverly Roberts comes under fire from her friends, family and associates when she marries African gentleman Jacques Martial. The title is a reference to the initial language barriers between husband and wife (the film is partly subtitled). Broken English has the distinction of being the only film to feature Oona O'Neill in an acting role. Perhaps you know her better by her married name: Mrs. Charlie Chaplin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When his fellow villagers and tribesmen are sorely in need of funds to see them through a drought, the young man in this story is sent by his Senegalese village to find his brother in Paris, get work, and send the money back to the village so that they can buy food. However, the boy is completely ignorant of the ways of the world, and one difficulty follows another until his tragic demise just after reaching Paris. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi