Daughter of Keltoum (La Fille de Keltoum) – Amazon.com Exclusive [DVD]

Note: French and Arabic with English subtitles.The '01 film by Mehdi Charef is a superbly conceived, expertly realized film dealing with contemporary angst in isolation. It's a story about a courageous young woman named Rallia (Cylia Malki) and her journey from her home and adoptive family in Geneva, Switzerland to her place of birth in a remote, mountainous region of Algeria in search of a Mother and family she has never known. Arriving at the village of her origin she discovers her Grandfather and crazy Aunt (Baya Belai) but her Mother, Keltoum is nowhere to be found. She is told that Keltoum works in a city some distance away and Rallia and her Aunt go on an illuminating "journey of discovery" to reunite Mother and daughter.The on-screen relationship between Cylia Malki and Babya Belai is amazinginly touching, moving back and forth between cultural isolation, lighthearted sillyness, vehement hatred and deep longing and emotive expressions of love and tenderness. While the relationship between these two is the basis of the film you'll also find yourself entranced by the barren, empty spaces of the landscape surrounding them and a first rate soundtrack.

This is definitely not a movie for everyone, but for those adventurous enough to want something more substantial than shattering big movie special effects, this provides a simple plot in a complicated world. No spoilers intended...this is the story of a young European woman who travels to Algeria to find her mother, the mother who gave her up soon after birth. She obviously feels resentment about her past and cannot understand how she could be dealt such a blow. However, her journey answers her questions and also speaks to the issue of the treatment of women in such a place.

Its a very different kind of movie. If you enjoy something out of the ordinary, give it a shot. Nice geography.

A stunningly beautiful, yet stark film. Transports you to a world few of us know exist, and even fewer will ever visit. The cinematography is amazing, capturing the landscape so dusty you'll sweat and wipe your own brow! And the storyline under it...equally amazing! Characters that seem quite simple yet turn out to be complex with plot twists that sneak up on you. Underlying it all, a place so real, yet so different that it can be difficult to comprehend life there! This is NOT an action movie, think in the spirit of "Waiting for the Moon". Highly recommended!

Rather than rehash what others have said I would just like to add that the geography is startling and it is incredible that people would live in such a harsh environment. The entire movie kept my attention because of the geography, the plot, and the cultural differences between that part of the world and the U.S., where I live. Within minutes of seeing the movie I started searching for a used copy to purchase.

I don't know why this foreign film captivates me (perhaps it is the set locations' starkness and otherworldly appearance; it doesn't hurt that the lead is drop-dead gorgeous [give me a break, I'm a man]) but it does, and I am glad to have a copy of this intriguing movie in my collection.

Don't normally care for foreign films, but his one was very good.

This is a hauntingly beautiful film, with a cast of exotic-looking, unforgettable characters. You have to watch it at least twice to notice and appreciate the nuances of the plot. I personally could watch it again and again - it is that good.