It is normally within the dregs of society that some of the most fascinating stories are told. Un Prophete is such a story. Like Midnight Express, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Shawshank Redemption it depicts how a life behind bars is anything but pleasant. Within these walls exists a kill or be killed world where brains, braun, and ambition will take you quickly up the ladder, but it is ruthlessness you will ultimately need if you wish to stay on top.Malik (Tahar Rahim) is nineteen years old and has just begun his six year sentence when he is approached by Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), the local mafioso kingpin to kill a snitch who is mere days away from retreating into solitary confinement. The plan involves felatio and a razor blade, and as bad as that sounds just wait till you experience the excruciating build up of tension the scene carries with it considering Malik has never killed before. I was reminded of James Gandolfini's monologue to Patricia Arquette in True Romance. When the hit is carried out it is one of the most brutal and relentlessly violent acts I've seen in a film in quite some time. It is getting pretty tough to shock me nowadays. This film did it in its opening act.
As the years pass Malik becomes the eyes and ears in the institution. He is given commands to keep his nose clean so that he might receive special leave passes allowing him a limited amount of time to perform tasks/hits on the outside. He also learns which guards to bribe, who he can trust as a partner, and that going into an independent hash business behind your bosses back is dangerous. Particularly when your boss just happens to be Cesar.
There is something about prison films that I find constantly fascinating. It is a world that I love to visit, but would never want to experience first hand. Films like Un Prophete must be applauded for their content. Not because it is difficult to watch at times, but because I am willing to bet that it is unflinchingly realistic. This is a harsh, scary, and fantastic film that refuses to sugar coat things and should possess enough power to scare you straight to your Netflix queue or your local video store. A
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