It's not very often that we get to see films coming out of the Northern Africa, and even less so since 9/11 and the subsequent invasion of Iraq. Recently I was able to watch one called "Daughter of Keltoum." It was made in 2001, right before the attack and is now finding its way onto DVD. The main focus of the film is a woman named Rallia (Cylia Malki), who was raised by a family in Switzerland after being abandoned by her mother. Now as a grown-up woman of 19, she begins the search for the mother who left her and finds much more than she bargained for. The story of "Daughter of Keltoum" serves far more of a purpose than just to tell a story of a woman looking for her mother.

Director Mehdi Charef uses the film, in some ways, to introduce Western Cultures to the often inhumane way that women are treated in other parts of the world. Having grown up in the rather open culture of Switzerland, Rallia bears witness to several incidents that she cannot understand. In one case on a bus, she sees a man who is offended by a woman's wearing of makeup. So much so that he openly yells at her and beats her head against the window. Worse yet, this is treated as though it is perfectly acceptable behavior.

I'm often surprised in this Internet & cell phone world, where 'communication' is all the rage, that American people are so naïve to the happenings in other parts of the world. Or are so complacent as to pick and choose the news they want to hear. Its appalling that nearly every single person in this country can tell you when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's baby was born, but only a fraction could tell you (or even care) about countries where millions of people are murdered because of some power crazed despot or an obsessive culture clash.

Being that we used to be considered one of the world's great leaders (though terribly lacking in one at the moment), we should be more aware of what's going on. But we have become so complacent in our lives that as long as it isn’t happening to us, it isn’t happening. When they do happen to hear a little snippet of news about it, most people are shocked about the way women are treated in some Middle Eastern countries, but that shock more often than not turns to drink and celebration within seconds of hearing their favorite team won some ridiculous championship.

But there really are two ways of looking at the situation these women live under. First off, it is abhorrent to think that a culture would place such a low value on any of its people. Treating women as cattle, only existing to do the bidding of men is reprehensible to me… but it IS their culture, not ours. I don’t believe women should be treated that way because of the way I was raised, they believe they should because it was the way they were raised. So is it right to judge them anymore than it is right for them to judge me? Is it right to force my culture on them anymore than it would be right for them to force their culture on me? You may read this and think, "Well, after all… we as Americans are right." But you know what… they believe they are right as well. It might not seem so, but when it comes to culture clash 'right' is in the eye of the beholder.

"Daughter of Keltoum" is part of the Global Lens Film Series, which chooses films from developing nations each year to tour the United States. The idea is to promote understanding between cultures, which is an ideal that I highly support.

In the end all we can do is educate, and more importantly… be educated ourselves. That is where a film like "Daughter of Keltoum" excels. It is an attempt to entertain, mixed with an ability to illuminate. There is much we can learn from films like these, if we as a people, can just get over our disdain for sub-titles.

Directed by: Mehdi Charef
Starring: Cylia Malki, Baya Belal, Jean-Roger Milo,
Extras: Discussion Guide, Director's Statement, Director Biography, Photo gallery
Specifications: In Arabic with English subtitles
Studio: First Run Features
Release Date: 6/20/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Daughter of Keltoum a B.