Youssou et Malek

A wonderfully made short about two young men whose destinies seem to be pulling them apart. The film uses songs and poetry to create a unique energy. There is a great combination of joy and heartbreak throughout as the characters learn how to express themselves both in their personal lives and their public encounters. Fantastic performances are matched by gorgeous cinematography and editing. The English subtitles are done very well, but the original French poetry is transcendent. Even if you don't speak French, you can pick up on the themes and the passion of the characters just by listening to the rhythm and rhyme. The film is tied to classic constructs of theater and story telling, but everything about it feels modern and of-the-moment. Somehow it manages to avoid sentimentality and triviality as it feels like a comforting embrace against troubled times.