Review of The Algerian (2014) by Sade A — 29 Jun 2015

I saw The Algerian at a film festival last summer and have been rooting for this film to make it to theaters ever since.

We live in such a significant time for terrorism, and after seeing this chillingly close-to-reality movie, I couldn't imagine a more relevant and fitting drama to give perspective on arguably the most pressing issue in recent history. This unique film, amidst the explosions and action sequences, has a message and a powerful meaning behind it that makes it so remarkable and a must-see for everyone.

A bomb blast that kills a mother right in front of her young child's eyes is the spark that ignites The Algerian, an international political thriller from writer-director Giovanni Zelko, who puts two worlds on a collision course and makes audiences wait for the inevitable.

As the title indicates, the film puts audiences in close proximity with an Algerian sleeper cell who comes to America on a mission to avenge the murder of his parents when he was a child. We follow "Ali," played by Ben Youcef, whose magnetic breakout performance is marked by a mysterious fullness that trickles down into every scene, as he comes into contact with a diverse mix of people in Los Angeles who help to change his perception of the very individuals who he is plotting to kill. Youcef's melodious voice and steely exterior plays wonderfully with the supporting cast, whose vital presence drive The Algerian forward. The story line is easy to follow, but the subtext is intelligent and thought provoking. Zelko is a groundbreaking artist who dares to take on the challenge of exploring the evolution of a terrorist, who he reveals through tragedy, hardships, breakthroughs, and shows us how sometimes, human to human contact is enough to change minds and hearts, and diminish one's capacity to commit evil, all the while transcending barriers of politics, culture, and religion. The Algerian truly keeps us walking on a tightrope until the very end... No spoilers here, only my advice to skip the usual fluff in theaters this summer and go see this urgent and thrilling art imitating life film with a story that could have been ripped straight from the headlines.