A Prophet (2009)

Release date: 2010-03-26
Country: France|Italy
Language: French|Arabic|Corsican
Director: Jacques Audiard
Production Co: Why Not Productions, Chic Films, Page 114
Genre: Drama, Crime
Rating: 7.9/10
Length: 2h 35min

Storyline

Nineteen year-old Franco-Arab Malik El Djebena is just starting his six year prison sentence in Brécourt. Although he has spent the better part of his life in juvenile detention, this stint is his first in an adult prison. Beyond the division of Corsicans and Muslims in the prison (the Corsicans who with their guard connections rule what happens in the prison), he has no known friends or enemies inside. He is just hoping to serve his time in peace and without incident, despite having no prospects once he's out of jail since he's illiterate and has no support outside of the prison. Due to logistics, the head of Corsican inmates, a sadistic mafioso named César Luciani, co-opts Malik as part of the Corsicans' activities, not only regarding what happens inside the prison, but also continued criminal activities outside. The innocent Malik has no idea what to do but cooperate. This move does not sit well with the other Corsicans, who only see Malik as a dirty Arab, and the Muslims who now ...

Plot Keywords

male frontal nudity, male pubic hair, strip search, male rear nudity, manipulation, person on fire, organized crime, title at the end, hostage, islam, christmas, masturbation, deer, airplane, cell phone, beach, sex, shot in the back, shot to death, shootout

Short Review

A Prophet is not a fabulous film, but it is well worth seeing. Although it is 2 hours 29 minutes long and its story is not surprising, it is always riveting.