88
Slant Magazine by Diego Semerene
It's a quiet thud of a film, which embraces, with grace and precision, the nastiness of growing up with desire stuck in one's throat like a muffled scream.
Salvation Army (L'Armée du Salut)
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
- France,
- Morocco,
- Switzerland
- 2014
- · 82m
Director
Abdellah Taïa
Cast
Said Mrini,
Karim Ait M'Hand,
Amine Ennaji,
Frédéric Landenberg,
Guillaume Bonnier,
Sandra Korol
Genre
Drama
Abdellah is a young gay man navigating the sexual, racial and political climate of Morocco. Growing up in a large, working-class family in a society that denies his homosexuality, he is caught between a distant father, an authoritarian mother, an older brother whom he adores, and a handful of predatory older men.
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What are critics saying?
70
Village Voice by Inkoo Kang
Despite stilted camerawork often locked in the medium shot, Salvation Army is a touching ode to the freedom to finally be who we want to be — if we can ever find where we belong.
60
The Hollywood Reporter by Boyd van Hoeij
Though the film’s European scenes carry too little dramatic weight and might be confusing for those unfamiliar with the novel, the Morocco-set opening 40 minutes are beautifully and quietly observed.
40
Variety by Jay Weissberg
Transitioning his story to the screen, Taia retains the bare bones but strips away warmth and insight, without any fresh perceptions that would compensate.
40
The New York Times by Ben Kenigsberg
For a film rooted in a personal story, Salvation Army feels awfully remote.
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