Review of Venice: “For My Country” by Rachid Hami

“Candy is better off in France,” the boy says to his brother on stage. For my country (Pour La France)Rashid Ham’s personal drama Horizons premiered at the Venice Film Festival. A boy’s Algerian family is considering moving to France and his simple response sums up her innocent and optimistic view of his new home. But, as we have already discovered, France brings tragedy to the family in this touching tale based on Hamm’s memories of his late younger brother.

As a teenager, Aissa (Shaine Boumedin) enrolled in the prestigious military academy of Saint-Cyr and dreams of serving the country she has become loyal to: France. But she Aisa dies in a new contamination that occurs in the frozen water.

Her older brother, Ishmael (Karim Leclou), tries to comfort their distraught mother Nadia (Lubna Azabal) and help her overcome the changes in attitude of officials who openly declare the offer of a military funeral. Meanwhile, the flashbacks show key moments from childhood in Algeria and an adult Ismael’s visit to Aisa in Taiwan, not realizing how little time he has left to spend together.

It is an emotional melody, but told in a non-sentimental way. The elegant script, written by Hamm and Olivier Purriol, opts for an observational approach, whether we’re watching a grieving mother crying or two brothers singing karaoke in a taxi.

The performances are strong and the characters are complex – Hammy clearly wants to avoid stereotypes. Mother Nina has many layers. Having abandoned the abusive father of her children, she is strong and capable, but that’s only part of the story. Ishmael is a compelling central figure, a rebel outraged at the way his country and the army have treated his brother. However, the government doesn’t just curse. The complexity of his decisions is explored and one, General Caillard (Laurent Lafitte), is sympathetic. for my country He may not be overtly political, but his personal story reveals the challenges Muslims face in France, including prejudice and injustice.

The scenes between the two adult brothers in Taiwan are among the most tender and tense in the film, as Ishmael struggles to make contact with Aisha’s girlfriend. There is a recognizable scene on New Year’s Eve when the couple kiss at midnight, Ishmael seemingly alone at the moment, between strangers and his distracted brother.

for my country explores the many facets of the move through an evocative and memorable film that ends with a melancholy note of nostalgia that shows Hamm’s desire to find light in the dark.