Fifth about The Seventh

Beauty and the Dogs (Aala Kaf Ifrit / La Belle et la Meute)

Beauty and the Dogs: it is not surprising that a true story inspired this Kaouther Ben Hania’s film; it follows a young female student who, just trying to have a night of harmless fun, is sexually assaulted and tries to get justice done, just to be stifled at every turn by a system that is wholly against her. It’s a too familiar story which, for that reason alone, increasingly makes the blood boil. Each chapter of the story is told in a single take, which makes the filmmaking muscular and urgent; the downside is that the simplicity of some sets is unrealistic and some of the acting, unconvincing. In any case, Mariam Al Ferjani, as the protagonist, is quite good: she transforms from a typical young woman who is simply having a good time to a hurt doe in headlights to someone who will do what it takes to get justice. Cinematographer Johan Holmquist’s camera moves beautifully within the spaces, with elaborate choreography of the characters.

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