Beauty and the Dogs (2017) User Reviews

"You have to grab your rights with both hands".

[DimitrisPassas-TapTheLine · 7/10 · 15 June 2019]

This was a really interesting film from Tunisia depicting as well as scathing the unbelievable bureaucracy and corruption of the country's authorities, especially of the police force. The film begins with our protagonist, Mariam, a young college student who attends a party in a luxurious hotel where she meets Youssef, a young man who seems to like her.

In the next shot we see Mariam in a dreadful, confused state as we learn that she was raped by a gang if three police officers. Youssef is still standing by her side and tries to help her to file a formal complaint against the police. In the beginning of the film we witness Youssef and Mariam's journey in the Tunisian healthcare system as she needs a certificate proving that she was raped. The behavior of the hospital personnel is risk-averse and decidophobic and nobody seems to be willing to help the poor girl. After that, our two protagonists will have to go to the police station in order to file the complaint against the three rapists. Of course Tunisian police officers are not happy to investigate a possible atrocity committed by their colleagues.

"Beauty and the Dogs" is a film about the people's need to embrace basic human rights and not compromise even when the odds and circumstances are against you. I've read in some reviews written by Tunisian people that this movie is a rather realistic account of the country's current condition. It is heavily implied that the subject is powerless against the arbitrariness of the authorities and the existence of the law is not enough to prevent the abuse of power by them.

The performances of both the protagonists (Mariam Al Ferjani and Ghanem Zrelli) are excellent as they are natural and unselfconscious while the direction by Kaouther Ben Hania is successful in portraying a decaying country where the system is so bent that there is truly no hope. I enjoyed "Beauty and the Dogs" and I can recommend it without any reservation to all cinema lovers and chiefly to those who are keen on seeing movies with a strong political dimension.

As a Tunisian citizen, Am proud and afraid to admit this is astonishingly realistic.

[ahmedifaoui-02211 · 7/10 · 1 October 2018]

First, I gotta say this is my first review ever.

Second, I heard a lot about this movie, that recently it was nominated to represent Tunisia in Oscar's pre-selection nominees.. So, I kinda expected too much, but I also expected some kind of disappointment (My country's filmmaking industry is so bad.. Like really really bad). I was surprised though. The directing made a huge difference, focusing on little details that are extremely important yet usually ignored. (Like That scene when they were heading back after the legal physical check). The acting also, especially by Youssef and the majority of the cops, was surprisingly remarkable. Another remarkable point, how the director wass successful in: 1 Bringing clear the circumstances of the rape case without showing the scene. 2 Not using a violent language, something others would think necessary regarding the context of the movie. These two points are considered "a big deal" in such a religious country.

Third, despite all the appreciation for Mariem's acting, I don't think she did a great job, because playing as a leading role, you got to do much more, especially the non-verbal acting, she kinda made some awkward scenes.

In total, I was satisfied, I highly recommend it if you're not Tunisian.

good ''horror'' film, realistic, about woman being abused

[llVIU · 7/10 · 13 June 2019]

I saw most of it on TV. It's about the struggles of a woman who was abused one night and tries to get justice, but shows how corrupt the system is. And how frightening it is, especially in a poor 3rd world country. It lacks the feminist propaganda nonsense, and it's quite realistic in my opinion. Definitely a must watch for young girls who don't value their own safety and go alone during the night, thinking that nothing can happen to them. And there's TONS of such girls.

I hope I didn't give out too much spoiler/information about the movie

American horror movies are 1/10 crap compared to this. They're worthless.

about fear

[Kirpianuscus · 19 July 2021]

A young woman is raped by two cops. She wants justice. The result - a terrible night in which cynismus, corruption, buraucracy, cowardies, lies, revenge, noble gestures of an old man, are mixed. A beautiful film for precise verdict about near reality. Powerful, cold, for me , reminding the atmosphere of Romanians films after 1990 year. Short, a film about fears. And about justice, more as noble intention. Admirable the work of Mariam Al Ferjani.

Good entertainment

[willians_franco · 7/10 · 25 June 2019]

Despite some unlikely or unrealistic situations brought on film, it counts as entertainment. The film captures the spectator's attention from start to finish.

Vulnerable

[westsideschl · 9/10 · 29 July 2018]

This film had broad international production support including several European countries. Filmed and storied out of Tunisia it's message has broad application to all countries where power and authority bullies & threatens individual rights even so far as terrorizing their citizens. We have institutionalized political & religious brutality in this film as a female college student attending a school party encounters the police. Her quest for justice is hampered by being a liberal female in a conservative country. Kafkaesque, but is there still hope? Despite the verbal/physical battering by police her resoluteness grows, but again perhaps too late. Intelligently written & directed, but it's the acting (often non-verbal) by Mariam Al Ferjan that engages & captures your attention, and worthy of an award.

beaty and the dogs

[oatalan-07015 · 10/10 · 27 January 2019]

It desevers the title anyway , we saw a beauty and the dogs in this film , quite possible things in this such of country and so sad really i know

Very emotive

[chrisgallen-07622 · 8/10 · 16 May 2020]

I'd like to say I "enjoyed" this film but that would imply I found pleasure in the content. I didn't but I found some good performances, lots of food for thought and lots of imagery and allegory.

There is lots of low level violence, lots of verbal abuse and no gratuitous nudity or simulated rape. The "action" takes place off screen and the performances drive the narrative. The lead actress has a "girl next door" vulnerability. Her character's treatment is, as intended, one of humiliation and degradation. Even her giving up her underwear for forensic examination is used to portray her as "asking for it ".

This film shines a light into many areas with regard to women's rights and their social status. Anyone who thinks similar things wouldn't happen in the West is naive.

Overall a thought provoking film, well made and worth the watch. You will find despair and affirmation and at the end faith in the humanity and outage of the few. The final scenes show the lead with a "cape" around her shoulders for a good reason.

Good

[ccandme-98379 · 10/10 · 27 May 2020]

Second, I heard a lot about this movie, that recently it was nominated to represent Tunisia in Oscar's pre-selection nominees..

Worth watching once

[av-spam · 5/10 · 22 July 2020]

To see that cops are the same the world over. Powerful but depressing :(

Rape

[searchanddestroy-1 · 21 October 2017]

The unbearable story of a young Tunisian woman who is raped by some policemen before she goes to complain to the nearest police station. Useless to say that this fight is lost in advance. How could it be else in a country where women are considered after the camel? This a real painful but so realistic tale. I heard some people in the audience be very uncomfortable, groaning. I myself felt dizzy. A true masterpiece worth seeing at all cost.