Raja (2003)

Raja (2003)



CINEMONDO: Raja

Category: World Cinema: Cinemondo

Regions: North Africa



Winner — France Culture Award, 2004 Cannes Film Festival



Set against the backdrop of contemporary Marrakech, Raja is a cross-cultural drama about the relationship of a middle-aged Frenchman (Pascal Greggory) with a poor local girl ;; played by Najat Benssallem, whose stunning performances earned her awards at both the Venice and Marrakech Film Festivals. ;; Raja is a nineteen year-old orphan literally and figuratively scarred by life. ;; Fred is an emotionally bankrupt westerner living amidst plush gardens and palm trees. ;; Fred's attempts to seduce Raja, and their mutual attempts at manipulation, are fractured by their gross disparity of income, age and cultural sophistication.



“Jacques Doillon's serious comedy Raja gets to the bottom and stirs up all the mucky dregs of a question so complex and ticklish that movies tend to shy away from exploring it in any depth…What distinguishes Raja from every other movie to contemplate the treacherous intersection of passion, avarice and power is its unsettling emotional honesty. The two central performances are so spontaneous and mercurial that the reckless flirtation seems to be unfolding before your eyes.” ;; - New York Times



Venice Film Festival winner RAJA is the March selection in The Film Movement Series. Raja is a nineteen year old orphan literally and figuratively scarred by life. Fred is an emotionally bankrupt westernet living amid his plush gardens and palm trees. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Marrakech, RAJA is a cross-cultural drama about a wealthy middle-aged Frenchman's complex relationship with a local youth. Fred's attempt at seduction, and their mutual attempt at manipulation, are fractured by their gross disparity of income and cultural sophistication. The New York Times wrote "What distinguishes Raja from every other movie to contemplate the treacherous intersection of passion, avarice and power is its unsettling emotional honesty. The two central performances (especially Ms. Benssallem's Raja, who has the intensity of a cornered wild animal) are so spontaneous and mercurial that the reckless flirtation seems to be unfolding before your eyes."



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