A Prophet (Un Prophete)

A prophet is either chosen by God to spread his word or an individual capable of telling the future. Malik El Djebena (relative newcomer Tahar Rahim) has found himself imprisoned at the age of 19, so it doesn't appear God has anything planned for him. One day, he's mistaken for a prophet when he predicts an accident with a deer after having seen the event take place in a dream. Malik isn't a prophet though, as he doesn't predict the future — Malik makes the future. At 19, he has no friends, in prison or out. Seeing this, a group of Corsican mafia men, led by Cesar Luciani (the ferocious Niels Arestrup), approach Malik with an offer he cannot refuse. It's only been hours since he's been in prison and the men who are clearly in charge are offering him protection. All he has to do is kill another Arab inmate, who's being housed in the prison until he can testify in court. Despite never killing anyone, if he says no, he'll be killed. The situation is inescapable, shaping Malik into the man he's destined to become during his six-year sentence. Director Jacques Audiard follows Malik's growth, balancing the back and forth between the numerous prison gangs with ease, while Malik learns the trades, meets the right people and plots to overthrow the kings that made him. A Prophet may have lost the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film this past year, but anyone who watches it will know they're watching a contemporary crime classic with every unexpected turn unfolding before them. It's a good thing it's so good, as the Blu-Ray options, save for a director/star French audio commentary, complete with English subtitles, are scant and forgettable. However, the film is anything but.