A group of five up-and-coming actors are traveling to a performance out of town when they are flagged down by three men who appear to need help. The men are terrorists, and they kidnap the actors and take them to a secluded retreat to await further instructions from the sheik who is their leader. The kidnapping seems to be random; the terrorists target these particular people simply because actors epitomize the secularity and nonconformity that Islamic fundamentalists despise. But when they reach their isolated hideaway, the kidnappers cannot get in touch with their leader. As the days pass, the terrorists and the artists get to know each other a little better, and preconceptions begin to dissolve.
The Miscreants
Film by Mohcine Besri
Feature Film – 88 minutes – 2011
Switzerland / Morocco
French Title : les Mécréants
Synopsis
On the order of their spiritual leader, three young Islamists kidnap a group of actors who are about to go on tour with their latest show. When the kidnappers arrive at the place of detention, they find themselves cut off from their base. Ensues a 7-day no exit situation, in which both sides are forced to live together, confront each other and challenge their mutual prejudices.
Production
Co-production with:
Tamawayt Productions (Morocco)
Fusion Films (Switzerland)
Michel Merkt
RTS Radio Télévision Suisse
Festivals & Prix (selection)
Cairo International Film Festival, Naguib Mahfouz, 2012
– Award for Best Arab Film –
Skopje, CineDays, 2012
– Special Mention –
Tanger, Festival National du Film, 2012
– Prix de la première oeuvre –
47. Karlovy Vary International Filmfestival, Competition, 2012
6. Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 2012
Sales & distribution
Distribution Switzerland: Moa Distribution
Distribution Morocco: Canal 4
Trailer:
Cast
Jamila El Haouni, Lalouaz Maria, Omar Lotfi, Amine Ennaji, Assam Bouali, Rabii Benjhail, Mostafa El Houari.
Credits
Written and directed by: Mohcine Besri
Production: Nicolas Wadimoff (Akka Films), Mohcine Besri (Tamawayt Productions),
Co-production: Michel Merkt, Michaël Rouzeau (Fusion Films)
Direction of Photography: Pascal Montjovent
Editing: Naïma Bachiri
Location Sound Mix: Toufik Mekraz
Rerecording Sound Mix: Gabriel Hafner, François Musy, Renaud Musy
Music: Philippe Héritier
Set design: Paola Limonta
Costumes: Noémie Stalder
Press
Awards
Cairo International Film Festival, Naguib Mahfouz, 2012
– Award for Best Arab Film –
Skopje, CineDays, 2012
– Special Mention –
Tanger, Festival National du Film, 2012
– Prix de la première oeuvre –
Festivals
36. Göteborg International Film Festival, 2013
35. Cairo International Film Festival, Competition, 2012
CineDays Skopje, 2012
6. Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, 2012
36. Mostra Internacional del Cinema de Sao Paulo, Competition, 2012
6. Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 2012
20. Filmfest Hamburg, 2012
47. Karlovy Vary International Filmfestival, Competition, 2012
47. Solothurner Filmtage, 2012
13. Festival National du Film Tanger, 2012
17. Cinéma Tous Ecrans – Festival international du cinéma et de télévision, Genève, 2011