A Prophet: A Timeless Masterpiece Celebrating 15 Years

Hello! Today, I want to discuss the film 'A Prophet' (예언자), which has recently been re-released to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Originally released in 2010, this film is a gripping blend of crime, noir, and gangster genres, directed by Jacques Audiard, who is known for his work on 'Emilie Perez'. 'A Prophet' won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and remains a captivating watch, with its 2-hour and 30-minute runtime flying by.

The story follows Malik, a 19-year-old who is just stepping into adulthood. As he navigates life in a French prison, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately leads him to become a 'prophet' in his own right. The film opens with Malik being incarcerated in a prison located in the suburbs of Paris, where he is sentenced to six years for assaulting a police officer. During the intake process, a guard asks him, "Do you eat pork?" This question is significant because, although Malik is French, he has Arab heritage. His ambiguous response, "No, yes," highlights his undefined identity at this point, which becomes crucial for his survival.

The prison serves as a microcosm of the conflicts present in French society, particularly between Arab and Corsican communities, as well as the involvement of Egyptian gypsies and the Italian mafia. In this dangerous environment, Malik learns the rules of survival, starting with language. He catches the attention of Corsican boss César and begins running errands for him, teaching himself Corsican along the way. This language is distinct from standard French, much like how Napoleon Bonaparte, a Corsican himself, faced ridicule for his accent during his early military career.

Malik's ability to adapt and learn quickly is not the only factor in his survival; his fluid identity allows him to navigate between opposing factions, making him a skilled negotiator. The film illustrates this through various anecdotes, showcasing Malik's boldness in critical situations.

César, who is both an ally and a threat to Malik, exemplifies how everyday objects can become deadly weapons. Their relationship can be likened to a father-son dynamic, reminiscent of the Oedipal themes often found in Western literature. Another pivotal figure in Malik's transformation is his first victim, Reyeb, who was the only person to encourage him to pursue education. Malik's forced act of violence against Reyeb is one of the reasons the film carries a restricted rating, and Reyeb's ghost continues to haunt Malik throughout the film, serving as a representation of his inner self and a catalyst for his awakening.

Revisiting 'A Prophet' after 15 years revealed details I had previously overlooked, such as the significance of shoes. At the beginning of his incarceration, a guard discards Malik's worn-out sneakers, replacing them with prison-issued footwear, symbolizing his loss of identity. A scene later in the film shows Malik admiring expensive shoes in a shop window, subtly foreshadowing the person he will become after his pivotal actions.

One particularly striking moment occurs when Malik, facing a life-threatening situation, sees a deer sign and shouts, "The beast is coming out!" This prompts a rival to question his prophetic abilities, as a deer unexpectedly appears on the road. This moment serves as a metaphor for Malik's transformation and foreshadows his emergence from the prison's confines.

It's worth noting the film's title, 'A Prophet', rather than 'The Prophet', which suggests a broader interpretation of prophecy. While 'The Prophet' refers specifically to Muhammad, 'A Prophet' implies that anyone can forge their own destiny, a theme that resonates throughout Malik's journey. 'A Prophet' is a film rich with multiple interpretations and remains an engaging cinematic experience. I highly recommend catching it in theaters while you can. Until next time!