Customer Reviews

Daughter of Keltoum

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Note: French and Arabic with English subtitles.

The '01 film by Mehdi Charef is a superbly conceived, expertly realized film dealing with contemporary angst in isolation. It's a story about a courageous young woman named Rallia (Cylia Malki) and her journey from her home and adoptive family in Geneva, Switzerland to her place of birth in a remote, mountainous region of Algeria in search of a Mother and family she has never known. Arriving at the village of her origin she discovers her Grandfather and crazy Aunt (Baya Belai) but her Mother, Keltoum is nowhere to be found. She is told that Keltoum works in a city some distance away and Rallia and her Aunt go on an illuminating "journey of discovery" to reunite Mother and daughter.

The on-screen relationship between Cylia Malki and Babya Belai is amazinginly touching, moving back and forth between cultural isolation, lighthearted sillyness, vehement hatred and deep longing and emotive expressions of love and tenderness. While the relationship between these two is the basis of the film you'll also find yourself entranced by the barren, empty spaces of the landscape surrounding them and a first rate soundtrack.

A stunningly beautiful, yet stark film. Transports you to a world few of us know exist, and even fewer will ever visit. The cinematography is amazing, capturing the landscape so dusty you'll sweat and wipe your own brow! And the storyline under it...equally amazing! Characters that seem quite simple yet turn out to be complex with plot twists that sneak up on you. Underlying it all, a place so real, yet so different that it can be difficult to comprehend life there! This is NOT an action movie, think in the spirit of "Waiting for the Moon". Highly recommended!

Nineteen-year old Rallia comes from her adoptive home in Switzerland to the Berbers of Algeria to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. Unlike her childhood dreams of a mountain paradise, she finds a primitive world where the struggle for survival coexists with a patriarchal subjection of women.

The film is a fascinating look at a very different culture and the reaction of European-raised Rallia to it. Although she is often traveling the dusty desert by foot or by bus seeking her birth mother, one doesn't lose interest, because she becomes involved with many people and situations along the way, and we too want her to find her mother and make peace with her biological heritage.

This is a hauntingly beautiful film, with a cast of exotic-looking, unforgettable characters. You have to watch it at least twice to notice and appreciate the nuances of the plot. I personally could watch it again and again - it is that good.

i just happened to be watching Link tv and the movie "daughter of Keltoum" was showing. The story, acting and plot is very good. I especially enjoyed the way the movie ended.

Rather than rehash what others have said I would just like to add that the geography is startling and it is incredible that people would live in such a harsh environment. The entire movie kept my attention because of the geography, the plot, and the cultural differences between that part of the world and the U.S., where I live. Within minutes of seeing the movie I started searching for a used copy to purchase.

If you are a human being, you need to see this movie. I just think it

is one of the best films I've ever seen, and certainly among the five

most different.

After the fact, I find it hard to believe that the characters were actors;

it was all so very well done.

You will remember this story for a long time.