On 5 July 2012 Algeria will commemorate 50 years of independence. 'Hors-la-loi' thematically exploits Algeria's struggle for its liberation from France. The sum and substance of the film is a family saga of how three brothers take part in, and react to organizing the Algeria resistance in metropolitan France: Abelkader is the brains, Messaoud, the brawn, and Said, a pimp and fight promoter in Pigalle, who, in the end redeems his bona fide as a patriot. From the reenactment of colonial repression in Setif in 1945 until independence in 1962, 'Hors-la-loi' is told by the numbers. The acting is uninspired; at times, it is lethargic, and the story seemingly never looses its cartoon-like character. Although director Rachid Bouchareb's heart is in the right place, the film has the feel of re-enforced concrete. Bouchareb would have been bettered serve in documentary film format, to spool out the his theme.
Review of Outside the Law
