Abouna (2004)
-
92% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(93 ratings)
Against all odds, two boys struggle to survive in an impoverished village in Chad in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's drama. After their father abandons them, Tahir (Ahidjo Mahamat Moussa) and Armine (Hamza Moctar Aguid) set out to find him, but their adventures land them in trouble. Their frazzled mother… More Against all odds, two boys struggle to survive in an impoverished village in Chad in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's drama. After their father abandons them, Tahir (Ahidjo Mahamat Moussa) and Armine (Hamza Moctar Aguid) set out to find him, but their adventures land them in trouble. Their frazzled mother (Zara Haroun) sends them to a strict school where they're mistreated. The boys plot to escape, but Armine loses control before they make their getaway.
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.
- Directed By
- Mahamat Saleh Haroun
- Written By
- Mahamet Saleh Haroun
- Genres
- Art House & International
- On DVD
- May 17, 2005
Critic Reviews
-
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
While it doesn't tell a story that satisfies most Western eyes, in some ways that's part of the strength of Abouna.
-
Megan Lehmann, New York Post
Suffers from largely rudderless direction, relying for any sense of profundity on the breathtaking beauty of Abraham Haile Biru's cinematography.
-
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
Lyrical and stoic.
-
A.O. Scott, New York Times
Mahamat-Selah Haroun's second feature film reveals both the beauties and the harsh realities of modern African life.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Gorgeously photographed, thematically complex and nothing if not ambitious, but strangely lacking in emotional punch.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
