Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue (Ali Zoua: Prince of the Streets) (2000)
Movie Info
Cast
as Kwita
as Omar
as Boubker
as Ali Zaoua
as Dib
as La mère d'Ali Zaoua
as Le pêcheur
Critic Reviews for Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue (Ali Zoua: Prince of the Streets)
All Critics (11) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)
Ayouch takes a subject that could be thoroughly depressing ... and -- through a simple story line, dramatic acting and National Geographic-like shots of the city's rough and pristine edges -- creates cinematic magic.
In its own, low-key way, Ali Zaoua is just as stirring [as City of God].
Less interested in moving a viewer to anger and action than in eliciting a few tears of pity and granting us a warm glow of self-congratulation for having shared for a moment in the anguish of underprivileged others.
An oblique, heartbreaking film.
It's the eyes of the children ... that stay with you after Ali Zaoua is over -- as well as the compassion that's evident in every frame.
Ayouch has crafted a powerful reminder of how kids can adapt to even the worst of circumstances.
Audience Reviews for Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue (Ali Zoua: Prince of the Streets)
Interesting movie that centralizes around a small group of city street kids. Ali, Kwita, Omar, and Boubker live near the ports and watch the boats and ships there. Ali dreams of becoming a sailor. Kwita focuses only of surviving and looking out for their small group. Leaving behind a gang led by Dib, they fear the consequences. After a brutal incident, Kwita now only has Omar and Boubker for companions. Mounim Kbab, Mustapha Hansali, Hicham Moussoune, Abdelhak Zhayra, and Said Taghmaoui stars. Worthy!
Super Reviewer
A Moroccan film about homeless children on the streets of Casablanca. The title character is killed in a street dispute in the first scene and his friends are forced to find a way to bury him with limited resources. This isn?t nearly as depressing as it all sounds, although this is an unflinching look at young children living in very desperate conditions. The film has a real sense of childhood whimsy despite depicting the gritty mean streets of Casablanca. What?s remarkable is that the film successfully has its cake and eats it too, it manages to simultaneously be gritty and whimsical, something hacks like Marc Forster only dream of actually accomplishing. The actors in the film are actually homeless children and the movie has a documentary feel but never revels in it. A very good movie from an area that doesn?t get much representation in international cinema.
Super Reviewer
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