Black and African Diamonds: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Phase 4 Films.

Director: Pierre Laffargue.

Writers: Lucio Mad, Gabor Rassov, Marci Cherqui, and Pierre Laffargue.

Black was a French film then dubbed into English, which is slated for released through video-on-demand September 1st. The film begins as an action thriller, but transitions into a heist thriller early. Black has played at several film festivals since 2009 and Pierre Laffargue's first feature film is enjoyable for its dabbling into African mysticism and European colonialism. Black's ending, with a Snake man facing a Lion man, truly has to be seen to be believed.

Black (MC Jean Gab'1), the protagonist, begins the film with a failed armoured car cash grab. Instead of grabbing the loot, Black loses his partners while escaping by train. Then, the film changes locale. Gone is Paris in favour of Dakar. Here a massive holding of diamonds is flaunted in front of a bank manager, who then tells the locals about the latest deposit. Soon several groups are organizing themselves to lift the goods, including Black and his team of part-time criminals. The heist and escape is full of explosions and mercenaries, while the film makes a late attempt at showing Africa's mystical roots.

Africa seems to be one of the few continents where travelling by armed convoy is an expectation and a rite of passage. One of the arms dealers does just that, while tracking down Black. Black now has the diamonds after a snatch and grab. His cousin pulls a double-cross, but is then taken out of the picture by an Interpol agent. Other double crossings and double dealings take place, as Black cozies up with Pamela (Carole Karemara), the previously mentioned agent. Viewers will get a sense that this is a standard heist thriller, but Laffargue has at least one other trick up his sleeve.

Black takes a sharp turn in the final act. Instead of the usual confrontation with the antagonist, there is a pause and exploration of African witchcraft. Degrand (Francois Levantal) has been seduced by a local African priestess, who is slowly turning this arms dealer into a human snake. This is no joke. Degrand sports scales and spits acid. On the other front, Black and Pamela have been placed in a giant wooden mixing bowl which has aroused their inner animal spirits. Together, as lion and panther, this romantic pair enters the pit of snakes for a final battle at night and in animal character. These final scenes were a great addition by Laffargue, who seems to be exploring messages of French colonial, with the inclusion of so many white villains and the topic of racism. There is also surrealism in the final chapter.

To release September 1st, Black is a film that will be enjoyed by fans of unique heist thrillers. The backdrop of Senegal for the film was a fine film element, while the dubbing rarely distracts. The acting is excellent and so is the action. The late risk of introducing African mysticism is welcomed and hopefully, film fans will find room for this great title in their film collections.

Overall: 7.75 out of 10 (great characters, lots of action, complex twists and double-dealings).

*the film will be available on various movie film channels.

**actor MC Jean Gab'1 was also in another French thriller titled Seuls Two.

Another review of this film at Film Critics United (Christopher Armstead):

Black Reviewed at Film Critics United

A third review of Black at Quiet Earth (Ben Austwick):

Black Reviewed at Quiet Earth

More details on the film can be found at Phase 4 Films:

Black at Phase 4 Films

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Posted in: 2011,africa,bank robbers,bank robbery,colonialism,movie review,movie review 2011,thriller