Chad, 2006. The government has granted amnesty to all war criminals. Atim, 16 years old, is given a revolver by his grandfather so that he may kill the man who killed his father... Atim leaves his village for N’djamena, seeking a man he does not know. He quickly locates him: former war criminal Nassara is now married and settled down as the owner of a small bakery... With the firm intention of killing him, Atim gets closer to Nassara under the guise of looking for work, and is hired as an apprentice baker… Intrigued by Atim's attitude toward him, Nassara takes him under his wing and teaches him the secrets of making bread... Over the weeks, a strange relationship evolves between the two. Despite his disgust, Atim seems to recognise in Nassara the father figure he has always needed, while Nassara sees the teenager as a potential son. One day, he suggests adoption...

Official Competition Venice Film Festival 2006 - WINNER Special Jury Prize

Daratt

w/ Ali Bacha Barkaï, Youssouf Djaoro

Part of the New Crowned Hope series to commemorate Mozart’s 250th anniversary, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s stark drama plays like an African variation on the Dardennes’ Le Fils. After the announcement of an amnesty on crimes committed during Chad’s civil war, country-boy Atim (Ali Bacha Barkaï) comes to the capital to avenge the murder of his father. But he must weigh the possibility of forgiving the killer, Nassara (Youssouf Djaoro), a baker who has tried to atone for his past. Haroun’s portrayal of Atim’s dilemma boasts both nuance and force. JA - eyeweekly.com

Director: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
From: France / Chad
Year: 2006
Minutes: 95
Language:French & Arabic with English subtitles
Genre: Drama
Format: 35mm