May Allah Bless France!

An autobiographical film by French rapper Abd Al Malik, May Allah Bless France! comes across as more bland and self-congratulatory than edgy and revealing, although the black-and-white cinematography is striking, and the film boasts a strong lead performance by Marc Zinga. The story begins in high school, when Malik—then still called Régis Fayette-Mikano—lived with his mother and siblings in a cramped Strasbourg housing project. Malik is seen engaging in petty theft with his pals, but is also a standout in his literature classes, which prompts a teacher to recommend him for admission to an elite program of higher study. Malik puts his facility with words to use in heading up a rap group that he hopes can record a demo that will make them all stars. But when a friend dies in a drive-by shooting, Malik turns to Islam for solace, changing his name and becoming a dedicated believer, even as his musical career is taking off. May Allah Bless France! features plenty of sequences in which Malik practices his rap skills while walking along the Strasbourg streets, as well as extended excerpts of pieces from his popular recordings. But this is ultimately a portrait of how Malik wants to see himself, as opposed to a more critical objective treatment. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)