Hello,
I am surprised I am the first to comment on this film. It was on France 2 yesterday and surprisingly they provided subtitles for the hearing impaired, thus enabling me to understand most of the French.
When in the end the two women arrive at the hotel, they walk between all these white guests (probably French) who immediately start complaining. For what? Seeing a local?
Well, I am just interested to know what you think.
I didn't notice that. I remember the scene... but I was so taken by the opulence of the hotel (a stark contrast to what came before) that I didn't notice much else. Interesting! I rented the video this past weekend and watched it once. However, I just purchased it today online and can't wait to receive it so I can watch it again.
I loved the movie. It was better than I thought it would be. Many foreign films seem slow-moving to those who are used to American movies, but I found this movie very interesting, and was pleased at the twists and turns of the plot as well as the surprise ending. Very well done! I didn't see it coming.
I related to the main character's frustration. I have been to Algeria several times; sometimes it is exhilarating and sometimes it is exasperating -- a study in contrasts. The movie struck a bittersweet chord with me.
As I said, I should receive my copy in the mail soon. I will look for the scene you are talking about.
Well it happens just before that hotel guy forcefully pushes them into that tiny room. I didn't notice it too until I saw "cris de protestation"="cries of protest" in the subtitles for the hearing-impaired (I speak French but I do like to give myself an extra hand ). Because they move so fast through the crowd it goes like this : white rich (wo)man enters screen and chats, sees them, is offended, disappears from the screen.
I am not from the USA so pretty much every movie I see is foreign .
Did you see it in French or dubbed?
The movie was in the French/Arabic languages (not dubbed) and I had on the English subtitles, of course! I've learned quite a bit of French, but I'm nowhere near fluent, so when I want to truly enjoy a movie (ie clearly understand it) I just go for the English subtitles. However, those subtitles only include what the characters are saying, not the other details you described in the hearing-impaired captions.
About this scene you're talking about... it sounds to me like some of the hotel patrons were revolted at the sight of a couple of natives in "peasant" dress. This would explain the hotel porter giving them the bum's rush, cramming them into a storeroom. I'll check out this scene again as soon as I get the DVD. Can't wait to see the movie again.
Back to your first post: I must say that I, too, am surprised that you were the first to post a message in the message board. This movie was so amazing; I'm surprised we're the only ones chatting about it.
I maybe wrong (I ofetn am) but I don't think the subtitles were aimed at the hearing impared. I think the film is made in using two lanuages. By using these two different languages in the same film, the director is able to emphasise the relationship between East and West (Algeria and Sweden) throughout.
I loved this film, very beautifully told though perhaps a little biassed from the European perspective.
Note how most of the male characters were deplorable!
None the less a great film.
Fruitmousse.
There might be a misunderstanding here. I watched it on French television and there were no subtitles. When I tried teletext I found subtitles for the hearing impaired (which is VERY UNUSUAL for Frenchspeaking channels, while it is very common on BBC).
I think you mean Switzerland<->Algeria (Swedish speak English but usually no French). Most of the movie was in French, many Algerians and Moroccans speak French, a result of French colonisation.
Yes, many male characters were not very nice, like the man dumping his wife and the officer who didn't care about the woman who was murdered.
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This post is 5 years overdue, but that scene did mindboggle me as well:
It's like, you travel to another country, but become offended at seeing locals dressed in traditional garb???
I just saw the film which is excellent. It was sad and dumb regarding how they were received and treated. Considering this film is over 20 years old, hopefully some tourist's attitudes are more elevated and respectful now. But there will always be ignorant jerks in this world.