Cornered in Molenbeek

Showings

TIFF Lightbox 4 Fri, Apr 27, 2018 5:45 PM
Scotiabank Theatre 4 Sat, Apr 28, 2018 3:00 PM
Film Info
Runtime:54
Copyright:2018
Country Listing:Belgium
Premiere Status:World Premiere
Rating:PG
Festival Info
Festival Year:2018
Language:French
Arabic
Berber
Accessibility:Full Subtitles
Program Category:World Showcase
Film Subjects:Experimental & Observational Storytelling
Immigration, Multiculturalism & Refugees
Race & Racism
Europe
Cast/Crew Info
Director(s):Sahim Omar Kalifa
Producer(s):Bart Maes
Editor(s):Stijn Deconinck
Koen Timmerman
Writer(s):Sahim Omar Kalifa
Bart Maes
Cinematography:Carl Rottiers
Sound:Pol Vanlear

Description

Mainstream media have described the Brussels district of Molenbeek as the "jihad capital of Europe," after several suspects in the terrorist attacks on France and Belgium were revealed to have been recruited from its large Muslim community. In the heart of this troubled neighbourhood, Coiffure Zaïdi, a barber shop sitting just opposite a mosque, serves as a meeting place for locals of all ages. This is where award-winning director Sahim Omar Kalifa installed his camera, capturing casual conversations between clients of North African origins. As shocked and dismayed by recent events as anyone else, they discuss unemployment and failed integration, immigration policies and government surveillance. With a fly-on-the-wall approach to these animated debates, and a keen, humanizing eye for the most significant details, Kalifa composes a charming and vivid tableau of a population continually stigmatized and circumscribed by media stereotypes. Charlotte Selb

Included Shorts

The Haircut (11min) More
I Signed the Petition (10min) More
Skywards (5min) More