Brothers Rashid and Mo, hangin’ out, contemplating life
When I first decided to watch and review My Brother the Devil, I was expecting your average, run-of-the-mill story about gang life set in Hackney, East London’s most ethnically mixed and violent neighborhoods. I should have suspected differently since the film has already received critical acclaim both in London and Berlin, and here, most notably at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Cinematography Award for its director of cinematography, David Raedeker, as well as the Grand Jury Award for the film and its director/screenwriter, Sally El Hosaini. Ms. El Hosaini, a newcomer to the industry, has a keen eye for what it takes to make a film special, and to stand out from others of its ilk. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen, My Brother the Devil takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride of twists and turns in ways you would never imagine.
L-R: Mo (Fady Elsayed), J-Boy (Malachi Kirby), AJ (Arnold Oceng), and Repo (Aymen Hamdouchi), DMG gang members
The film revolves around Rashid (James Floyd) and his younger brother, Mo (Fady Elsayed), young Muslims who have been transplanted from their native Egypt to the drug infested, crime-ridden streets of Hackney. Living with their traditional parents, Rashid is in ‘the life’ but does everything in his power to keep Mo from following in his footsteps with his gang, DMG (Drugs, Money, Guns). A terrible tragedy, the death of Rashid’s best friend, Izzi (Anthony Welsh), forces him to look inward—questioning what he really wants for his future—eventually stepping away from his crime-ridden past at the same time that Mo, who idolizes his older brother, joins the gang behind Rashid’s back. Adding to the plot is Sayyid (Saïd Taghmaoui), a regular customer for “weed,” and photographer who offers Rashid work as his assistant, thereby changing his life forever.
Although Taghmaoui received critical acclaim for starring in and co-writing the 1995 French film La Haine, he is better known in the States for his roles in ABC’s Lost (as Caesar), HBO’s short-lived series Sleeper Cell (as Hamid), and currently, in Fox’s Touch (as Guillermo Ortiz). It is Taghmaoui’s portrayal of Sayyid as an older, much wiser man who has left behind the criminal days of his youth to become a successful photographer that drives home the notion of finding love and acceptance where you least expect it. One of the more pivotal scenes of the movie involves Sayyid’s dinner with Rashid, Mo, and their parents, which includes a lively discussion of Middle Eastern politics that both perplexes and infuriates Mo, and impresses the father (Nasser Memarzia) when he realizes Rashid is becoming more of the man he wants him to be.
Mo and Rashid on a good day
Both Floyd and Elsayed (a previous non-actor) should be recognized for their roles in My Brother the Devil, especially because the film challenges its viewers to decide which one of the brothers is the supposed devil. But it is their devilish good looks and convincing portrayals of young brothers caught in a world of drugs, guns, and death that brings this movie home for me. I especially love the little touches—Rashid’s jovial rubbing of Mo’s head, his extravagant gift to Mo of an LCD TV, affectionately grabbing Mo’s neck—that speak to Rashid’s devotion to Mo more so than the dialogue. Another standout in this film is Aisha (Letitia Wright), a sweet, fresh-faced, young Muslim girl who helps to keep Mo’s darker side from rising to the surface. Although Wright has limited acting experience, she does an extremely good job with Aisha, easily bringing home how important one person, especially the girl he fancies, can be in the life of a boy who is headed in the wrong direction. Wright is on my one-to-watch list.
An example of the brilliant cinematography in this film.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the cinematography in this film, which is as much a character as any of the actors. From the lovely scenes of Mo in a sunlit tree, a childish water balloon fight, and the shots of an unexpectedly beautiful East London, to the darker scenes of gang violence, underage drinking, stabbings and more, Raedeker paints a stunning and convincing portrait of the environment, giving it a truly authentic feel, especially when the camera pans in on the characters.
I’d also like to mention the tunes. While I am not a fan of rap music, I really enjoyed the various songs that make up the soundtrack. Most notable are “Never Give Up” and “My Life,” by up and coming British rap star Cash Tastic; “Night Owls,” by aspiring rapper Slow Walk; “Trapped in the Life,” by Benny Banks (@mrBennyBanks on Twitter); and “Champion,” by West Londoner Strive MC (@McStrive on Twitter), among others. They serve as an excellent backdrop to the various emotions, drama, and violence in the film.
The only complaint I have with My Brother the Devil are the heavy Cockney accents of some of the characters. If you’re not used to hearing them, it takes a while to adjust and understand the characters’ dialogue. Truthfully, I almost turned off the film but thankfully, I persevered; I would have hated to miss this extraordinary and brilliant movie.
El Hosaini does an incredible job of putting a fresh face on a tired genre, treating her characters with respect, and providing us with a compelling tale of character development on two different levels. While the film has been marketed as ruthless gang fare, it is anything but. It is more a coming-of-age tale that deals with wanting, being powerless, and a struggle for sexual identity. This is a film that is not to be missed; my advice – go see it as soon as it is available. And to whet your whistle, here’s the official trailer:
Linda
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