Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets

perusing the local library i came across this gem.

the film was released by "filmmovement: a declaration of independents." does anyone have any recommendations for similar type films, possibly by this same publisher?

one of the most chilling, unique, and realistic parts of the film was the abrupt death of "ali" in the beginning. after my expecting of ali to be the main character, i was shocked by his death, but the children live in a merciless world. very realistic as above mentioned.

the gang slogan "life...is a pile of s**t" was a bit depressing. but the overall cheerfulness of the youngest of the three main characters kept my spirits up through the film. "show your pride"... after a goal really cracked me up.

the connection of the 2 suns to the tape in ali's house was an interesting psychological connection thrown in by the author.

my recommendation for more great foreign films: "trois couleurs" directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski and "Obchod na korze" (A Shop on Main Street) by Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos. really great stuff.

This is definitely one of the best films that i've seen lately. It tells the story of Moroccan street children who live in the filth of the gutters of present-day Casablanca. These homeless urchins, with a few exceptions, make up a gang of at least 75-100 kids who pick pockets, sniff glue and are led by Dib, a modern-day Fagin. A band of 3 ids, following a dreamer- Ali Zaoua, splits from this gang. When Ali is killed by a kid from the gang, the story begins.

We follow these children as they try to give Ali a funeral, and what we see in their world is at times terrifying, or at least extremely upsetting and unsettling. Part of what makes the film so effective is that the children are not actors- they are real street children. they are not Hollywood's dirty Orphan Annies, in pre-stained clothing and manufactured dirt- they are real. Dib is one of the few professional actors in the film. It is at times difficult to see because of this. Still, Ali Zaoua is an extremely good and possibly great film.

When I hear some petulant tot in the Safeway market candy section whining because he can't have two candy bars, I want to plop the spoiled child in front of this film for about five minutes, which would be quite enough.

Director Ayouch mixes elements of children's stark gang life in modern day Casablanca with the hallucinatory dreams they have, and he creates a harsh and vivid tale built around three close pals who decide they must give their most recently murdered friend a decent burial--he was, after all their Prince, their leader, their compatriot. This may not sound like the stuff movie dreams are made of, and its not exactly a cheerer-upper, but the young actors are astoundingly real--and sometimes quite funny--and the willing viewer can be transported to another world within a world unlike anything you might find in Iowa

This is memorable film-making, examining a particular time and place-- in this case the Middle East--for it's universal elements; it isn't anywhere near the sweetness and light of The Sound of Music, but is perhaps a more honest immersion in human behavior.

A variation on Hector Babenco's great 'Pixote' this follows the theme of abandoned street kids, being played by real street kids.

But "Ali" is much less gritty and naturalistic in style, if not story. Beautiful widescreen photography, some playful animated moments, and a slightly less despairing feel (although it's still pretty dark).

A young street boy is killed, and his friends try to figure out how to and his street friends try to figure out how to get him 'buried like a prince', hoping to give his sad, lost life some meaning in death. All the while they have to fend off attacks from the local street gang, find the boy's mother and let her know about her son's sad demise, etc.

Very well acted for the most part, and has it's share of touching, heartbreaking moments. But it also feels manipulative and 'moviesh' at others. Certainly a good film, if not quite at the level of it's ancestors.

There's a saying in Morocco that says "A coincidence, is better than a thousand appointments." so how cool is it when the best movie that you've ever seen is the movie that you saw on your very first time to a cinema. I had 10 years old and there was this local movie that got everybody (grown-ups) talking about it, i remember it was a week-end me and my mom went to see my welthy aunt (we were lower class) and my nephew took me with him to the cinema.... I remember me after that movie going in streets like them kids (in the movie) and singing their song... now it's been 15 years and i have seen a lot of french and american movies but above them all stays "Ali Zaoua" as my personal best. I've lost count of how many times i've seen it again and again the movie is unbelievably realistic and heart-warming and whenever i see it, it gets me so nostalgic and reminiscing about my childhood... Another magic fact in my relation with this masterpiece is that the leading actor (Hicham Moussoune) was related to my neighbors and was about my age, so we were sort of "friends" we played in the street a time or two!! There were also great actors in this movie like "Saïd Taghmaoui" who became a hoolywood Star.