A true story about a Morroccan immigrant gets a full production from actor Roshdy Zem. In his second directorial job, M. Zem takes us to a case involving Omar, an innocent man, accused of killing a wealthy woman who used to employ him. As in "Bad Faith", Roshdy Zem makes a case for the under privileged man at the mercy of a justice system that is clearly prejudiced against the man because prejudice on the circumstantial evidence that surfaced in the case.
As the story begins, we are taken to a casino where we watch Omar playing the slot machines. He is a loser, as it is the case with most people trying their luck in a game where all odds are against them. It comes as a complete surprise when the police comes to arrest him, being accused of killing his wealthy employer. Omar has everything stacked against him. Nothing seems to be in his favor as he goes on trial. Omar receives an eighteen year jail term for something he did not do.
The film is told from the viewpoint of Omar, which is clearly the way it happened. The man's dignity is put to a test as he is incarcerated as punishment by a penal system that is set in finding him guilty without examining the real facts on the case. A friendly writer sees the opportunity to prove the innocence of Omar, which unfortunately only produces a book, but no release from prison.
This is a good documentary that moves with an excellent pace thanks to M. Zem's take on the subject. The director collaborated with the real Omar Raddad in the adaptation of the material for the film. The result is an emotional expose on the misuse of French justice. Sami Bouajila appears as Omar and Denis Podalydes, of the Comedy Francaise, is the friendly writer who tried to help the innocent man.
One can only hope the film stirred enough controversy in France about the case. It is obvious the real Omar Raddad wants justice.
As the story begins, we are taken to a casino where we watch Omar playing the slot machines. He is a loser, as it is the case with most people trying their luck in a game where all odds are against them. It comes as a complete surprise when the police comes to arrest him, being accused of killing his wealthy employer. Omar has everything stacked against him. Nothing seems to be in his favor as he goes on trial. Omar receives an eighteen year jail term for something he did not do.
The film is told from the viewpoint of Omar, which is clearly the way it happened. The man's dignity is put to a test as he is incarcerated as punishment by a penal system that is set in finding him guilty without examining the real facts on the case. A friendly writer sees the opportunity to prove the innocence of Omar, which unfortunately only produces a book, but no release from prison.
This is a good documentary that moves with an excellent pace thanks to M. Zem's take on the subject. The director collaborated with the real Omar Raddad in the adaptation of the material for the film. The result is an emotional expose on the misuse of French justice. Sami Bouajila appears as Omar and Denis Podalydes, of the Comedy Francaise, is the friendly writer who tried to help the innocent man.
One can only hope the film stirred enough controversy in France about the case. It is obvious the real Omar Raddad wants justice.