Free Men ( Ferroukhi 2011): France

Viewed by Jose De Anda at the SBIFF

This is a film inspired by true events. The story follows the French Resistance and his friend the cabaret singer Saleem. This is a very interesting relationship as in the beginning of the movie the lead actor is snitching to the nazi’s about Saleem. The police did coerce him into snitching but in my book a snitch is a snitch. The lead happens to be muslim who is helping Saleem, a jew, although this is maintained a secret due to the nature of the time. The film takes place in occupied France during the WWII.

This film has very long takes, the camera tends to focus on the center of the screen, features minimal editing and relies on natural available light. The form is a mix of open and closed and the angles are generally neutral. Most of the shots are open form. Even in the mosque the characters have lots of room to move around, even in a small space like the Imam’s office the characters seem to be able to roam free. Exceptions to this is when the SS is around. There you see a change in the editing too, which is mainly non existent in the majority of the film.

The singing was very symbolic. The cabaret brought muslims together, more importantly Saleem brought many people together and this was important in any revolution; unity. The mosque also brought in everyone but that is pretty standard in Islamic culture. They were fighting the revolution just by being together and many scenes take place in this cabaret. The intention was to show that unity moves mountains.

Forgiving is a very important lesson this movie shows. I think loyalty, honesty and forgiveness shown by the central characters is very meaningful.  That was a big part of the directors idea. The willingness to overcome fear of one of the biggest villains of all time, the Nazi, was important. The fact that Saleem is jewish and Tahar Raheem is important. There is generally lots of tension between these two faiths. This film shows that there is the possibility not of just living together but living, cooperating and working together. A very valuable lesson.

The muslim and jewish people have been killing themselves for quite some time now. There is strife over ownership of land. Palestine has basically disappeared in the past years and ever since world war II tensions have only escalated. Recently there was a prisoner exchange between the two, a good sign. Films like these will ease the tensions. I applaud the whole crew for this.

This film is a mainly realistic style. The natural lighting that predominates is a style trait. The long shots that are basically all the time. An exception being the scenes where the SS is active or when they are being chased by the SS. The slow and steady pace of the film are also realistic. We see the dominant at the center of the frame for most of the film too, also realistic. A great example of realistic style film making, which is less predominant in Europe and France.

I really liked this movie. It was definitely one of the best of the festival. It should inspire and educate the minds of many and hopefully save lives. If the message of tolerance in cooperation is heard over the world the so called problems of the mid east and israel will cease. It’s inspiring to watch art this powerful.