Cannes 2009: Critic Favorite ‘A Prophet’ Picks Up Grand Prix (2nd Place Prize)

While I’m surprised that this didn’t walk away with a pair of trophies (Best Actor could and perhaps should have went to Tahar Rahim) second best is what I had slotted for the critically favored film from Jacques Audiard. The director was of course extremely pleased to receive the award and deservingly so – it is rare that a 2 hour, 30 minute film has is thrilling from the first minute to the final frame. A Prophet has plenty going for it.

Condemned to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena cannot read nor write. Arriving at the jail entirely alone, he appears younger and more fragile than the other convicts. He is 19 years old. Cornered by the leader of the Corsican gang who rules the prison, he is given a number of “missions” to carry out, toughening him up and gaining the gang leader’s confidence in the process.
But Malik is brave and a fast learner, daring to secretly develop his own plans…