Un Prophete "A Prophet" (2009)

The winner of the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes, and nominated at for Best Foreign Film at this year's Oscars, this is by far one of the best movies I've watched in the past year (at least). Essentially, this is a prison film, but to confine it within the parameters of that genere is to do it no justice at all. It is perhaps the French answer to The Godfather and is an excellent challenge to it.

The film focuses on Malik, a young street thug doing six years for assaulting a police officer. Inside prison, Malik learns to navigate the constantly changing waters that pits the incarcerated Corsicans against the incarcerated Arab Muslims. Malik becomes a sort of (at first) unwilling protege of Luciani, the Corsican prison boss, which has the effect of making life both simulataneously easier and more difficult on him.

As an American viewer, the French prison system seems bizarrely relaxed, with prisoners receiving leave time (a day where they are allowed to actually leave prison, provided they return on their own volition), no distinctive prison uniform, and some cells equipped with televisions.

However, despite this, the film does convey a message that I do understand: that prison can take what was otherwise a petty thug, and turn them into a hardened, violent, career criminal. Terming this a French Godfather is particularly apt, as Malik's transformation is particularly stunning, and a little reminiscent of Michael Corleone's unwitting ascension, as he climbs up the prison's ladder slowly but surely.

This transformation is deftly demonstrated in Malik by Tahar Rahim, who conveys much of it in very subtle ways. Malik's manner at the beginning is often jumpy and sullen, generally reacting angrily and without thinking. By the end, he carries himself with a confidence commesurate with his position in the prison, almost jovial. His expression barely changes, but in one moment you might see anger, and in another, you will see an almost childlike fascination, Tahar's eyes shining brightly.

Likewise, Neils Arestrup, who plays Luciani, also does an amazing job, playing a man desperately coming to terms with the fact that he is fast becoming irrelevant within the prison where he will spend the rest of his life. The character also serves as both the film's mentor figure and its primary villain, as Malik's rise is directly related to Luciani's fall, despite their close relationship. In many ways, it is also a story of revenge, with Malik destroying the man who involved him in a world he did not choose to be involved in. Unlike Godfather style vengeance, in which characters are riddled with bullets, Malik's victory over Luciani is far more complete, and in many ways more viciously satisfying.

Obviously, because this movie is still playing in theatres, getting it on your queue would be difficult. So instead, take a trip down to your local independent cinema and watch it. You'll be glad you did.

Directed by Jacques Audiard, Written by Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Abdel Raouf Dafri, Nicolas Peufallit, Starring Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup and Adel Bencherif.