Amal – Un esprit libre (2023)

Amal – Un esprit libre (2023) Which means “Amal – A Free Spirit” in English. This is a film that doesn’t feel good! No it’s definitively not a feel-good-movie. It’s a hard-hitting film.

Amal, a teacher at a Brussels secondary school, encourages her pupils to express themselves freely. With her daring teaching methods and her enthusiasm, she turns their lives upside down. Even to the point of shocking some of them. Little by little Amal feels harassed and threatened.

Like so many French-language films, it is slow and long, but clearly not devoid of interest. This film is gripping. At times it feels like a documentary; so natural are the actors.

In fact, the director, Jawad Rhalib, has already made documentaries such as ‘Les Damnés de la mer – Alerte Verte’ and ‘Le chant de tortues’.

Those who like ultra-intellectual, unnatural dialogue will be bored stiff! There will always be people who say that this film is full of clichés… without even asking why! Maybe it’s because too many people do nothing to prevent serious situations from getting out of hand, and that’s why our real society has itself become a cliché.

It’s very easy to say that a film is rubbish, boring, predictable and seen a thousand times before. It’s more interesting to try and get something out of it. Especially when the subject is so serious.

Say for instance, Requiem For A Dream (2000) didn’t make you want to take drugs. Well, this Belgian drama doesn’t make you want to become a teacher.

What strikes you from the outset is the composition of the class, half of whom are Muslims, not a single one of whom seems moderate in his faith and/or opinions, all of whom seem intolerant and racist, with their black classmates also taking the brunt of it.

We can also see that the headscarf is a major issue… but removing it in school is not a concern. What’s most disturbing is the religion teacher in the suit and tie (an impressive Fabrizio Rongione!), whose insidious poison we sense and whose extreme self-control, calm and serenity are reminiscent of violent men who are narcissistic perverts who make their victims look hysterical, as two scenes show. It’s frightening and terrifying, and even pessimistic, despite the fact that some of the schoolchildren are a little more alert.

It’s a long film that shows just how far the aggressiveness of fanatical religious people can go, and the hell that homosexuals can go through when they have to face people who don’t understand them and don’t want to understand them, preferring just to think they’re sick.

A remarkable film that says more than many news reports about the rise of Islamism in Europe and the violence that ensues. Beware, this is not a film against all religions, it is not a film against the Muslim religion in particular, it is a film which, above all, castigates stupidity, cowardice, hypocrisy, ignorance and the misdeeds caused by excessive credulity.

The script is clear, nuanced and implacable. Responsibilities are clarified without finger-pointing or accusing. The actors are deeply involved.

Don’t expect to feel appeased after watching these almost two hours, and don’t expect to have all the answers. Instead, expect to be shaken!

In fact, the end credits are an all-credits passage… but without music! It’s enough to let us gently, but probably surely, digest the whole story. Yes, it leaves you completely stunned, and once again proves, among other things, Lubna Azabal‘s extraordinary acting skills.