Satin rouge

English title: Red Satin
Genre: psychological drama
Director: Raja Amari
Release: 2002
Studio: ADR Productions, Arte France Cinéma, Nomadis Images – Zeitgeist Films
Rating: -
MBiS score: 8.1/10


Don’t Give Up On Life, Mama… You’re Still A Knockout


SATIN ROUGE takes us to Tunisia where Lilia (Hiam Abbass), a widow for some time now, devotes herself entirely to raising her adolescent daughter Salma (Hend El Fahem). One day, while meeting Salma after dance class, Lilia notices a young man and assumes that her daughter has a relationship with him. Driven by her maternal instincts, she follows the young man and sees him enter a seedy-looking nightclub. Should she enter as well? Not this time… but she may do so eventually. After all, there are things a mother needs to know about. With Maher Kamoun (Chokri) and Monia Hichri (Folla).

Among stock characters in film, the one who rises above adversity through some transcendent endeavour – be it sport, writing, militancy or whatnot – has been portrayed so often that any movie featuring one should be approached with some degree of caution. Nevertheless, miracles can happen in cinema and SATIN ROUGE, which uses dance as its means of epiphany, should be regarded as one. Part of its freshness stems from the dance form it depicts so vividly, an Oriental style that may not appeal much to Western eyes at first but becomes more and more absorbing – and stunningly beautiful – as you get accustomed to it. In a way, the dance shows in SATIN ROUGE partake of a cultural phenomenon and, like the patrons in attendance, you will feel genuine appreciation for the sensuous ladies who light up their night at the club. For that alone, Raja Amari’s film deserves an unambiguous recommendation but, as a bonus, you will be presented with one breathtaking dance number that rivals anything in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, itself a great showcase for the talents of one John Travolta.

But wait… SATIN ROUGE has much more to offer than splendid dance scenes. It features a divine performance by Hiam Abbass, solid playing by the cast around her, faultless direction and a well-organized screenplay that delivers its share of surprises but never forces the issues. Do I need more superlatives to convince you? I hope not. There’s enough magic in this film to please anyone.

One night, like any human being, you will feel low or crave for enchantment. When that happens, simply reach for SATIN ROUGE. Its exoticism and ready charm will warm you up like chicken soup never will.


MBiS

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