Watch Occidental

Occidental is a French-language film set in the palpable political turmoil of 2013 Paris. Directed by Neïl Beloufa, this noir thriller showcases the tumultuous night of a Moroccan couple in a strikingly decorated hotel. With a premise top-lined by explosive cultural politics and incendiary thematic points of tension, Occidental is one movie that art-house fans shouldn't miss.

Anna Ivacheff plays a nameless, raven-haired woman who is en route to New York from Paris. Her transit is interrupted when she is forced to stop over at Occidental Hotel for the night. The hotel's interiors are plush and its period decoration reminiscent of the 1970s. The political environment outside is volatile due to the passing of France's law permitting gay marriages, and it is this controversial element around which the narrative unfurls.

Enter Paul Hamy, who plays a waiter attached to the hotel's eatery. His character is enamoured with the female lead (Anna Ivacheff). They begin to connect over drinks, but their chemistry is nipped in the bud by their internal misgivings. Meanwhile, the male lead, played by Moroccan actor Idir Chender, arrives and comes face to face with the couple already settled in the hotel. His appearance disrupts the easy-going, almost blissful atmosphere that the hotel's patrons have been enjoying.

What follows is a night of tension that affects all three characters. The time-period in which the movie is set is particularly curious, and Beloufa takes full advantage of the geo-political climate to imbue the storyline with a greater sense of depth. The director goes on to paint a picture of class warfare, racial and ethnic discrimination, gender and more.

In a visually striking and sensory feast of an introduction, we see the hotel's extremely impressive neon signboards, right down to the sleek vintage cars of the period. The film's overall visual aesthetic is retro in style, with the dark-hued and dimly-lit interiors of the hotel, and the even darker visuals outside grounded in realism. The film-makers have gone for a 1970s mid-century theme, and it is delightful to see them fully committed to it.

The music is also of the era, and it creates an eerie, almost other-worldly atmosphere. The visual and auditory cues provide an almost uncanny sense of trance that pulls the audience deeper into the narrative. The comic reliefs, too, are understated, but when they appear, they provide quite a punch.

In many ways, Occidental is an experiential narrative – like one long, gorgeous inhale – and the script is both atmospheric and deliberately sparse. The director chose to film almost entirely within the lone hotel in this tight space where rooms, elevators, and rooftop provide the confined setting. And hence, the movie works its magic through the directors deliberate framing and remarkable use of lighting.

All the leads turn in solid performances that manage to be both restrained and suggestive. Ivacheff's character here is particularly engaging, as she brings the sense of the unknown to her character, wonderfully playing the role of an enigma. On the other hand, Idir Chender gives an emotional range that reflects his potential as a fantastic character actor.

What the film ultimately reveals is an eerie "us vs them" underlying theme that runs through the narrative. It's a work of political commentary that operates as both a period piece and a thriller. On one hand, it's a vintage depiction of fear and paranoia of a population that's convinced of its morality and freedom at the same time harbors unsettling tensions around race, gender, and class. While on the other hand, the outcome plays out as a thrilling climax that grants the audience a well-earned and tension-packed resolution.

Overall, Occidental is an incendiary political potboiler that's equal parts thrilling and thought-provoking cinema. The deliberate, minimalist narrative, the understated acting and the stunning visuals it demonstrates allow this movie to be an overall exquisite piece of art-house cinema that's not just entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Occidental is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.