Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Brilliant and touching

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

While widely hailed as the first genre film to come out of the United Arab Emirates, and displaying some fun and flashy visual skill, this isn't a very deep film, nor a great one. The story is simple and has potential. An 'everyman' type is locked in a small local jail for some sort of brawl. While waiting to be bailed out a stranger enters and brutally murders the local sheriff in front of our 'hero' and hides the body. Why? And what will he do to our protagonist? (not really a spoiler - it happens at the very start of the film).The cat and mouse game that plays out between the two men facing off in essentially one room for the whole film is cleverly shot and definitely has real moments of fun. But the film is a bit trapped between tones. The outrageous villain is played and written too campy and over-the-top to be believable enough to be scary, but too brutally violent and dark to be much fun. And our 'hero' remains a mostly blank sketch, so it's hard to be involved on a deeper level. Throw in a mix of some predictable late turns, and others that stretch credulity and logic, and you have a film that is fast paced and fun to watch, but not one that will linger in the memory or call for a second visit.

The first feature film by Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari and produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, 'Zinzana' is a thrill ride from the very first frame.Waking up in a jail cell for getting into a fight the night before, Talal (Saleh Bakri) pleads to the warden to set him free. Since he has lost his wallet and has no I.D. or money for bail, only a judge can decide his fate, which may take up to 48 hours. This is when the quirky maniacal Dbaan (Ali Suliman) enters the station impersonating a police officer. After murdering the warden, Dbaan soon establishes himself as the man in charge and begins a cat-and-mouse game of life and death odds with a confused Talal.With the entire movie taking place inside the one room in the station, Majid Al Ansari has managed to craft a film that doesn't feel repetitive. There are shots so creative, the audience is taken through walls, pipes in the ceiling and even up into the sky for a satellite view of the area. The camera angles, which continually shift from close-ups to medium long shots works well, possibly done to show one's despair and the other's psychotic lunacy.The two leads are impeccable in their respective roles, but it is Ali Suliman (Dbaan) who truly steals the show. His motives or agenda are never made clear until the very end of the movie. His cartoonish antics continually shift from quirky dance routines, to tempting Talal to have a drink, and even solving a puzzle in a Sherlock Homes style manner. His is a character that is complex and can either be classified as a genius or a lunatic. Saleh Bakri (Talal) is the complete opposite to Suliman's Dbaan, with a more reserved performance of his anguish. He is not only dealing with troubled personal issues, but also a mad man who is continually poking into his psyche and wrapping him around his fingers. The sweet natured female deputy Aida (Yasa) continually drops in to provide some comic relief to the surmounting tension, and her innocence is a breath of fresh air.Al Ansari manages to set a steady momentum throughout the 90 minute run-time, and constant attention is paid to where the characters are both physically and emotionally during the film. For a one-set neo- noir thriller film, Zinzana may possibly mark the United Arab Emirates' cinematic entry to a global audience.

From the moment I saw the trailer, I knew this film would be great and it did not disappoint.The movie follows an alcoholic who ends up in prison in a remote town. His time behind bars suddenly becomes a living hell at the hands of a madman cop who pays a surprise visit. Will he be able to escape this lunatic?The performances are perfect, notably Ali Suliman who plays Daban (the psycho cop) to perfection. His performance, although unique, is slightly reminiscent of Heath Ledger's Joker, in his ability to be funny as well as menacing. The comedy/chemistry between Daban and the portly female warden who takes a liking to him is brilliant. The cinematography is brilliant, dark and definitely adds to the suspense.A highly recommended film.

I am not familiar with middle-easter cinema but I have been amazed by this movie where actors, director, scenarists and dialogue writers have given birth to a gem of a film. The actors build up a strong intensity for this surprising thriller, and the director has very intelligently alternated suspense, humour, and tension, the result is a fantastic success for a first-time feature film from the director. I wish it was dubbed in English - also because it would probably have a broader success internationally - but it is the only critique I would have. For the rest, a very solid thriller for whoever wants to spend a great time at the movie. Special mention to Ali Suliman whose performance is outstanding and Ahd Kamel whose ability to catch the camera's eye is impressive (despite the short role her character has).