Movie of the Week: “Sahara”
Snake love, man’s poison
Whenever I access Netflix, I remember the old days of the video rental shops, where we spent hours tinkering on the shelves, reading the synopses and choosing the movies for the weekend. For me it was always an additional pleasure when I discovered some very different film from traditional blockbusters, and even nowadays I still try to maintain this spirit of “mining”. This is how I discovered the excellent animation “Sahara”, almost at the end of an extensive list proposed by the site.
Although on Netflix the original language of the film was indicated English, it caught my attention, in the opening credits of the movie, that it was a French-Canadian production. By switching the audio to French, I immediately recognized the irreverent voice of actor Omar Sy, who was famous for his characterization in “Untouchables” (“Intouchables”, FRA, 2011), alongside François Cluzet!
The ensemble cast includes talented actress and singer Louane Emera (“Bélier Family”), Oscar winner Jean Dujardin and several other big names in French cinema.
But it would not do anything without a good story, and at this point the film does not disappoint either. Based on an original idea by director Pierre Coré, the animation tells the story of two snakes belonging to different ethnicities, which are united by the desire to flee from their environment.
Ajar (Omar Sy) is a desert snake, who lives in the rocks, and is ridiculed by his group for not having undergone the first skin change, which still characterizes him as a teenager. His only friend is the scorpion Pitt (Franck Gastambide), who was saved by Ajar after losing his family.
Eva (Louane Emera) is the daughter of the king of oasis serpents, and lives constantly under her father’s pressure to marry a young guy from her midst. She is constantly trying to escape from the oasis, but the condor Chief (Ramzy Bedia) is always vigilant to bring her back.
While Ajar wants to live in the oasis, Eve wants to know the desert. When the two meet, the Chef’s pursuit will cause them to fall into an underground river, leading them far away from there. Subsequently, Eva is captured by Bedouins, to be used by the snake charmer Omar (Grand Corps Malade).
Desperate to see Eve being taken, Ajar decides to follow the Bedouins to rescue her. In this mission, he will be accompanied by Pitt, and with the reluctant help of Eva’s brother, the high-handed Gary (Vincent Lacoste).
The adventure happens in the desert, with many adventures ranging from carnivorous fireflies to confused tourists, a gallant snake, Georges (Jean Dujardin) and another very jealous, the dangerous Alexandrie (Reem Khenci). But, the final confrontation will be with the most dangerous animal on Earth, the man.
Although it is a children-oriented film, “Sahara” can differentiate itself from its Hollywood counterparts in many ways. Unlike the innocent Disney productions, there is an explicit romantic involvement – which comes to be translated graphically. In addition, the film speaks of racial prejudice, bullying, illicit drugs, trafficking in animals and humans, exploitation of forced labor, etc.
Perhaps because of this unusual approach, “Sahara” did not get to be released in cinemas outside France, going straight to the streaming catalog. The film has received widespread criticism mainly for its allusion to drug use, but it may be a good way to contextualize and explain the dangers of addiction to more observant children.
In any case, “Sahara” is an animation of excellent quality, made in the best techniques of the present, with a fun story and moments of humor that will please both children and adults. I just recommend to choose the audio in French by the excellence of the original voice actors.
Original Title: “Sahara”