Loin (2002)

Synopsis: Serge (Stephane Rideau), a French truck driver making deliveries for a clothing manufacturer in Morocco, visits his girlfriend Sarah (Lubna Azabal) and his friend Saïd (Mohamed Hamaïdi) when he makes stops in Tangier. LOIN, from French director André Téchiné, examines the relationships... Serge (Stephane Rideau), a French truck driver making deliveries for a clothing manufacturer in Morocco, visits his girlfriend Sarah (Lubna Azabal) and his friend Saïd (Mohamed Hamaïdi) when he makes stops in Tangier. LOIN, from French director André Téchiné, examines the relationships between these three very independent twentysomethings, showing how their various desires in life conflict because of citizenship, employment, class differences, as well as personal outlook. Serge, whose job--driving a big truck on the open road, constantly traveling from place to place, living as an adventurer--is coveted by Saïd, does not realize his importance to his employer, his friends, or to Sarah. He roams and makes bad decisions, as if he doesn't care. Sarah, who owns and operates a local hostel, has caring friends and a comfortable life that comes into direct contrast with that of Serge. Yet they are drawn to each other as she hopes for something more exciting than day-to-day life in Algiers, and Serge longs for stability and direction. Saïd is perhaps the most complex of the trio, a recluse who works part time in Sarah's hostel and dreams of escaping Algiers for Spain. Having attempted his illegal immigration many times with dire consequences, he is convinced that Serge is his way out and his salvation. Sarah is the pawn he must play with Serge if he wants to achieve his dream. Chaos and motion are the primary focuses of each scene of LOIN, establishing Techine's visual style. Clouds are reflected in Serge's windshield set against his busy, nicknack-filled dashboard. The splashing ocean waves behind a cargo ship overlap a scene of Saïd weaving through traffic on his bike. During any moment of silence, bustling activity invades. Some scenes fade into soft white outs, just as the Tangiers sun seems to scorch the landscape at some moments and caress it at others. LOIN is a complex, riveting, and simultaneously tender film that will leave viewers both pensive and energized. This film was included in the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema 2002 festival organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City. [More]