Three Dancing Slaves (2004)

Annecy is no tourist destination for three working-class Algerian brothers and their father, in the months after their mother has died. Marc is deeply troubled: he tries to stiff drug ... See full summary »

Director:

Gaël Morel

Writers:

Christophe Honoré, Gaël Morel

Stars:

Nicolas Cazalé, Stéphane Rideau, Thomas Dumerchez

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cazalé	...	Marc
Stéphane Rideau	...	Christophe
Thomas Dumerchez	...	Olivier
Salim Kechiouche	...	Hicham
Bruno Lochet	...	Le père
Vincent Martinez	...	Le "professeur"
Jackie Berroyer	...	Robert
Aure Atika	...	Emilie
Nicolas Paz	...	Montana
Mathias Olivier	...	Ryan
Gary Mary	...	Luc
Geordie Piseri-Diaz	...	Jérémy
Clément Dettli	...	Henry
Pierre Vallin	...	Sly
Janine Ribollet	...	La mère de Sly

Storyline

Annecy is no tourist destination for three working-class Algerian brothers and their father, in the months after their mother has died. Marc is deeply troubled: he tries to stiff drug dealers and then plots revenge. Christophe is released from jail, lands a job, and must overcome various temptations in order to keep it. Olivier, nearing 18, may be falling in love with Hicham, a young man who constantly practices capoeira on the shores of the lake. Both violence and fraternity are close to the surface of most interactions. How each brother emerges from his challenge comprises the film's drama. Is there any way in which these men can be a family?

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Plot Keywords:

male frontal nudity | cutting one's pubic hair | gang | pubic hair | teenage boy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Soundtracks

Morning Bird
Written by Luke Steele (as Steele, L.)
Performed by The Sleepy Jackson
(P) 2003 Music Australia - Copyright Control

User Reviews

A developed aesthetic in an underdeveloped director

Director Gael Morel debuted as a young actor in Andre Techine's excellent "Wild Reeds". In it he plays a teenage boy who develops an obsessive passion for a young Frenchman of North African descent, played by Stephane Rideau; Rideau being something of a prototype of the exotic, masculine male in question, (though in "Three Dancing Slaves" he has clearly outgrown the boyish stage.) In retrospect it's safe to guess that Techine cast him in such a role, having knowledge of Morel's own passion for the fore mentioned type. Morel films as a director are clearly dominated by this passion, overshadowing his treatment of the elements of story and character development which are somewhat lacking in his movies this far.

Morel is true to himself is expressing his personal fascination with the specific male type in question. "Three Dancing Slaves" abounds in images of the actors in various states of dress and undress, filmed with great care and with a genuine love for the form. It's a very specific gay aesthetic, expertly executed and one that will resound with those who share Morel's particular tastes.

Yet Morel aspires to more as a filmmaker and so he should. "Three Dancing Slaves" reveals moments of promise but ultimately falls short in most areas. His future as a movie director of merit will depend on his own development as an artist and his ability to bring his passion to the screen as an integral and balanced part of his work.

Despite the inherent weakness of the the film, "Three Dancing Slaves" does at least mark Morel as a possible talent to watch.

Details

Official Sites:

TLA Releasing

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

16 June 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Three Dancing Slaves

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,668, 4 September 2005

Gross USA:

$21,888

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,888

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sépia Productions, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Centre Européen Cinématographique Rhône-Alpes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1