Best new Fiction Film

DE HEL VAN TANGER (TANGIER)

Belgien, 2006

Director:

Frank Van Mechelen

Script:

Paul Piedfort

Camera:

Lou Berghmans

Producer:

Eric Wirix

105 min., Farbe, F/Holländisch/Arabisch/e

Cast:

Filip Peeters, Axel Daeseleire, Peter Gorissen, Els Olaerts

In Frank van Mechelen’s factual thriller, bus driver Marcel and his colleague Wim are arrested in Morocco for drug trafficking. Despite the bus owner’s confession that he himself hid the drugs on the bus, both men are sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. Marcel soon discovers that nothing could have prepared him for the harsh life in the jail of Tangier. He also learns that, with the exception of two fellow prisoners and a guard, nobody really cares that he is innocent or what happens to him. The best he can do is struggle to survive and maintain some human dignity.
After two terrible years in jail Marcel’s health begins to deteriorate rapidly. His family move heaven and earth in a desperate attempt to bring him home before it’s too late.