FRERES ENNEMIS/ CLOSE ENEMIES

Belgium/France, 2018, 111 minutes, Colour
Matthias Schoenaerts, Reda Kateb.
Directed by David Oelhoffen.

While the material in this police and criminal thriller is rather familiar, it is successful in its dramatisation of the central characters and their conflict.

Matthias Schoenaerts achieved an international reputation appearing in many English-language films but also appearing in films in his native Belgium. Redda Kateb was also a significant actor in Belgian films but also appeared as a hostage in Fishing Without Nets.

The two portray childhood friends but, as ever, one chooses the criminal world, the other police and detection. The man who chooses the criminal world has a Moroccan background and is a strong presence in the Moroccan community in France.

As with these thrillers, the crime focus is on drug dealing, international connections, double-crossing, murders. While Marcus (Schoenaerts) is a leader, he comes under fire, almost assassinated, needing the support of the community (and finding betrayal) and then of his old friend who enables him to discover the truth and to better himself. However, emotion and vengeance overcome him.

There are also family backgrounds for each of the central characters, Markus with his broken marriage but love for his son; the Detective and his family.

The film was directed by David Oelhoffen who also directed the dramatic film about fireman, Through the Fire with Pierre Ninny

1. .Police thriller? Friends on each side of the law? Betrayals? Resolutions?

2. The Paris settings, the Moroccan community, streets, offices, police precincts, homes? The musical score?

3. The title, Manuel and his friendship with Dress? The final photos in the credits? Childhood, growing apart, different lives, the law? Coming together? The case, friendship and trust?

4. Manuel, the Moroccan background, the community, the visits, the jokes, meals? Strong bonds? Going to the prison, the prisoner released into his community? The background of drugs, dealing, plans, betrayals? Manuel and his close friendship, his partner, the fact that he was a police informer, the attack on the car, shootings and death? The funeral in grief? The dead man’s wife and family?

5. Manual, his age, character, involvement in crime, violence? His estranged wife in the visits? Taking his son out to play, football? The visits? His wife testifying for him in the police interviews? His final visit, love for her, gratitude?

6. The complexity of the plans, the effect of the death in the car, manual and the other man turning up at the house, the decision to investigate together, confrontations, shootings, more information, discovery of the betrayal?

7. Chris, his career, his work, collaboration, his boss? His taking his own initiatives? Contact with manual? Asking him to trust? The different scenarios, Manuel allowing himself to be arrested, interrogated, freed? Chris allowing him to pursue his investigations, giving him time? Dress and the interactions with his associates, giving them information, withholding information, his boss?

8. The buildup to the climax, Manuel confronting his men talk, the betrayal, the shootings? Manuel and the police, his being wounded? Chris coming to his rescue? Manuel and
his death?

9. Familiar elements of the story, interestingly portrayed?