4 December 2024 – Arabic LLA Salma reviews the film Excuse my French (2014)
Film review: Excuse my French (2014) Heading link
Amr Salama’s powerful 2014 film Excuse my French / لا مؤاخذة (La Moakhza) discusses the difficulties of younger people, identity, and social acceptance against the background of Egypt’s diverse socio-religious situation in the 21st century. The film is a semi-autobiographical portrayal that reflects Salama’s personal experiences and provides an insight into the lives of a young child facing a world full of discrimination and change.
The main character of the film is 12-year-old Hany Abdulla Sousa, a child of a Christian family who finds himself in a difficult situation after his father passes away. After attending a private international school, Hany’s family’s financial situation significantly declines, causing him to switch to a public school, drastically changing his entire life. This change is not easy for Hany; he is thrown into a world that is very different from his previous one, with a bully-friendly society and little resources.
Hany’s journey shows adaptation and strength. He struggles with his father’s passing, the sudden change in his social and academic environment, and having to hide his religion since one of his new classmates misunderstands him and thinks he is Muslim. Through the eyes of a young person forced to face the harsh reality of discrimination and social injustices, the movie addresses topics of religious segregation and seeking of acceptance.
Excuse My French is dedicated to portraying the determination of childhood and the constant search for one’s place in the world. Anyone who has ever felt misplaced or misjudged can relate to this story. We see the common challenges of growing up through Hany’s eyes, as well as the ability of kindness and humor to heal inequalities.
Amr Salama highlights the value of compassion and acceptance in a world that frequently appears divided by using a combination of drama and humor to present a story that is both recognizable and personal. The lessons learned from Hany’s experiences include the life-changing impacts of acceptance and the human spirit and ability to stay positive in the face of difficulties. It is a movie where it shows how we can judge people without knowing anything about them or their background. I like how the movie shows that people and children with different religions, cultures, etc. can be friends and together in times of need as well.
If you are interested, you can view the film on Netflix in Arabic with English subtitles.