13 Tzameti
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

Written and directed by Gela Babluani and starring his brother George Babluani in the title role. 13 Tzameti is a stylish, gritty and unbelievably tense thriller unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

I’m not a big fan of World Cinema, I don’t mind it – but I don’t seek it out, I can take it or leave it. I have some World Cinema favourites - Downfall (German), Brotherhood (Korean), Taxi (France); however I tend to review the English speaking movies… When I saw a trailer for this film however, I just had to see this. This is a French film, and because of this, it features very stylish camera work, emotive acting and a plot that you are unlikely to find in a Hollywood style movie (although admittedly the filmmakers are working on an English version due for release theatrically in 2008).

It’s best to watch this film with little or no real understanding of what this about in order to allow yourself to get suitably shocked(!).

George Babluani plays Sebastien, a 22 year-old handyman working on the roof of a French gangster’s home. As he is fixing the roof, he overhears conversations between the gangster and his associates – talking about ways to make a lot of money quickly. He hears that his employer is waiting for an envelope to arrive with instructions. He can see that the man is deeply troubled.

When the gangster dies and Sebastien is on the scene, he is told by the dead man’s wife that he will not be paid as she no longer owns the house – this has passed to the sister of the deceased. Sebastien’s family are very poor and he needs the money to support them. Unbeknownst to the widow, Sebastien takes the envelope with the instructions from the house and follows these in order to take the dead man’s place.

The police are also watching the house and are aware that something is being planned; they attempt to intercept the young man. Sebastien soon finds himself in a vicious gangster underground where a man’s life is worthless and merely a pawn of the rich.

I’m not going to tell you what Sebastien is getting in to – it’s best you go into this blind and discover at the same time as our lead character. All the actors in this production are perfect in their roles.

Gripping Entertainment – add to your list now!