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A Screaming Man
| Released |
13 May 2011 |
| Director |
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun |
Starring
|
Youssouf Djaoro, Dioucounda Koma, Emile Abossolo M'bo, Hadje Fatime N'Goua, Marius Yelolo, Djénéba Koné, Heling Li |
| Writer(s) |
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun |
| Producer(s) |
Florence Stern |
| Origin |
France, Belgium, Chad |
| Running Time |
92 minutes |
| Genre |
Drama |
| Rating |
TBC |
|
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The Old Man and the Pool.
Contrary to its name, A Screaming Man is a very quiet film indeed. Written and directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, it is an elegant, absorbing and complex film; a deserving winner of the jury prize last year in Cannes.
The events of A Screaming Man take place in the troubled African nation of Chad, as rumblings of civil war threaten its stability. The conflict at the heart of the story though begins on a much smaller scale, as the close relationship between a father and son is changed irreparably. Adam (Youssouf Djaoro) and his son Abdel (Diouc Koma) work together at the pool of an upper-class hotel. Although Adam is a dedicated family man, he lives for his job. When the hotel finances begin to struggle, Adam is demoted to the position of gate security guard as Abdel takes his place as the head pool attendant. Humiliated by his new position and desperate to return to the pool, Adam makes the decision to give his son up for conscription into the army.
In many ways, this is a premise that is almost unbelievable, especially given the opening scenes which establish Adam as a loving, concerned father and dedicated husband. It is only through the combination of Haroun’s beautifully stoic yet intimate camerawork and Youssouf Djaoro’s remarkable, morally complex performance that Adam’s awful trajectory becomes utterly believable. Although his emotional breakdown happens almost without a word, we can see it all quite clearly. At the pool, in his pristine white t-shirt and shorts, Adam had a sense of pride and a connection to the man he once was (a former swimming champ, locals still nickname him “Champ”). Relaxed and contented, he walks upright with a slow swagger. After donning the comically ill-fitting suit of security guard, this all changes. His face becomes strained, as he rushes back and forth, sweating in the hot sun.
Meanwhile, Haroun’s camera quietly analyses its subject. Though the film is mostly filmed in static medium shots, there are a couple of remarkable close-ups that provide an emotional punch and crucial exposition without the characters having to utter a word. These shots in particular make A Screaming Man one of those films that stays with you long past the credits. A great achievement in both acting and directing, this is a must-see, as beautiful as it is tragic.
-
Linda O’Brien |
