DIFF FILMS

FOR THE YEAR 2009

HARRAGAS

Winner of Muhr Arab / Feature /Special Jury Prize :Merzak Allouache (Director)
Winner of FIPRESCI /Best Feature Film :Merzak Allouache (Director)
Winner of Human Rights Film Network /Human Rights Film Network Award :Merzak Allouache (Director)

France / 2009 / French, Arabic dialogue with English subtitles / Colour / 35 mm / 102 mins

Genre: Drama

Cast & Credits

Director: Merzak Allouache
Producer: Veronique Rofe
Scriptwriter: Merzak Allouache
Cinematographer: Philippe Guilbert
Editor: Sylvie Gadmer
Composer: David Hadjadj
Cast (in alphabetical order): Lamia Boussekine, Mohamed Takerret, Nabil Asli, Seddik Benyagoub

Synopsis

Veteran Algerian director Merzak Allouache delivers a tense drama set in the northern Algerian port city of Mostaganem. The title refers to the hordes of refugees, the 'Harragas', who smuggle themselves out of the country via any means possible. Here we meet one such group, Rachid, Nasser and Imene who pay a smuggler, Hassan, to take them to Spain in his rickety boat. Along with a group of African and Arab migrants, they are risking all they have to cross the stormy Straits. Allouache captures brilliantly the desperation and determination of the protagonists as they embark on their fateful mission...

Contains: Parental Guidance (PG)