Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on May 15, 2007 at 05:02:26

filmmaking. Though it's now 12 years old, this film was so far ahead of its time it's NOW.
A riot in an area near Paris heavily populated by immigrants and minorities results in serious injury to an Arab young man. This film follows one of his friends--- who has vowed to kill a police officer if his friend dies--- and two others as they survive another day in the projects. Unexpectedly, the vengeful one comes upon a gun; suddenly, what had been a vague thought becomes a chilling possibility.
Clever and skillful direction, mesmerizing cinematography (without the herky-jerky MTV-inspired look of so many), and break out performances (the lead actor went on to fame and fortune in France) make this a must see.
The director says he grew up watching American directors such as Scorscese and film noir guys and it shows: the film bravely is filmed in black and white and it has the dangerous tension of "Mean Streets."