Second viewing; first seen on October 10, 1994.
Title translation: Pépé the Toulon Man
Pépé is a French criminal hiding in the Algiers district known as the Casbah; he is continually hunted by the police who try to lure him into leaving the safe district. Pépé falls in love with a French tourist visiting Algiers, much to the chagrin of his Algerian lover.
The criminal as superhero, here with a twist, the European as a mythical being among third-worlders. He exerts endless fascination over women and the humble masses. Yet again, we learn that a criminal life has no future. As for the present, living with the colonials is hell on Earth, their men are treacherous and their women can be a real drag -- and vice versa! The Third World is not for the European, a recurrent theme. A hypnotic film, of dark beauties and even darker truths.
Rating: 77 (up from 70)
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