Un divan à Tunis (Arab Blues)
ARAB BLUES - MK2Manele Labidi's Arab Blues is a wonderfully crafted comedy with a terrific balance of heart and dramatic nature, showcasing the outstanding talents of actress Golshifteh Farahani as Selma Derwich.
The first thing to note, and an element found throughout, is the perfect comedic nature of Labidi's film. The writer-director, along with collaborator Maud Ameline, injects an exceptional layer of comedic prowess with individualism and a distinct layer of uniqueness through character arcs and situations. Sequences that continually impress and engage with the viewer at every turn, never overly farcical but a perfect balance of ridiculousness and drama equaling an ideal recipe that is infectious and entertaining.
However, the screenplay is only one part of the impressive production. The resulting performances are as equally as durable and infectious. The casting, by duo Salem Daldoul and Aurélie Guichard, is nothing short of exceptional here. The twosome utterly nails the thematic weight of the picture in conjunction with their casting. An aspect that, without it, would not have worked – point-blank.
The tone is wonderfully curated, superbly shot by cinematographer Laurent Brunet; the score by Flemming Nordkrog is subtly effective. All of these enticing elements makes it is somewhat difficult to highlight a knock in Arab Blues. That being said, the film does understate more pressing issues of immigration, same-sex relationships and the conflict between youth and religion. Granted, these themes are present but intertwined with a comedic bravado instead of a dramatic finesse.
Nevertheless, Manele Labidi's Arab Blues is a wonderfully intimate and rewarding feature with a fantastic central performance from Golshifteh Farahani, who shines incredibly bright here. The actresses's range is a remarkably strong concoction of the emotional spectrum with deep-seated moving prowess and soft, uplifting layers of comedic motion. Cementing the actress continually as one to watch in stellar performance and role.
