Comme un aimant

In a poor neighbourhood of Marseille, nicknamed “le panier” (the basket), eight friends whittle away their time in the sun, pulling small tricks to get by. However, the more ambitious members of the crew set their sights on bigger prizes, inevitably leading to the involvement of more hardcore hoodlums. The repercussions for the group risk being dangerously grave.

Often musicians turn their talents to the big screen with eyes to profit from their established notoriety in box office returns. Unfortunately, in most cases, the results are disastrous (Madonna or 50 Cent spring to mind among many). Comme un aimant bucks this trend in its astute portrait of urban life.

The musician in question is Akhenaton, the film’s co-director/writer and actor, from the acclaimed French rap group IAM (fellow band member Freeman also plays a major role). Like Eminen’s Detroit-set story in 8 Mile, Akhenaton’s (and co-director Kamel Saleh’s) film takes place in his own home town: Marseille. The personal connection pays dividends, as the spaces and sounds of the streets are powerfully evoked, elevating the city to a pivotal character in itself.

Music is inevitably and justifiably prominent throughout the film, with Akhenaton’s and Bruno Coulais’ expressive score complimented by a top drawer soundtrack, featuring the esteemed likes of Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson and Talib Kweli.

The pulsating aural experience navigates us through the discordant yet connected stories unfolding on screen. Comme un aimant is a personally and effectively crafted portrait of a marginalised community trying to get by within an engulfing city. The attention to detail and authentic performances pass by unnoticed, while engaging the spectator in the everyday lives of these misguided characters. It makes for affective and insightful viewing, but without passing judgment, neither on individuals nor the social order in the way of a Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing) or a Jean-François Richet (Etat des lieux, Ma 6-T va cracker).

Akhenaton’s foray into film was a wise decision indeed, adding another important work representing France’s significant urban and ethnically diverse nature often ignored by its cinema.