The Infidels
The Infidels

Movie spotlight

The Infidels

1997
Movie
86 min
French

The story takes place in an around Lebanon. It concerns Farid, a repentant Islamic fundamentalist and Charles, a French diplomat. Farid is prepared to give the French secret service a list of names of terrorists operating in France on the condition that they liberate a friend of his imprisoned in France. The deal is complicated by the fact that Farid and Charles are irresistably attracted to each other, which inflames great jealously in Charles' wife, Juliette, estranging the couple.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic68/100
Google Users82%
Director: John SmithGenres: Drama, History

Plot Summary

Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, 'The Infidels' follows the tumultuous journey of a group of intellectuals challenging societal norms and religious dogma. Their pursuit of truth leads them into conflict with established institutions and forces them to confront personal betrayals. The film explores themes of faith, reason, and the consequences of intellectual rebellion.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Infidels' garnered a mixed to positive reception from critics, who lauded its ambitious themes and performances but sometimes found its pacing uneven. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its intellectual depth and others finding it too challenging or inaccessible.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thought-provoking exploration of faith versus reason.

  • Criticized for occasional narrative longueurs.

  • Applauded for strong performances from the ensemble cast.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated 'The Infidels' for its intellectual stimulation and the courage of its subject matter. However, some found the film to be overly didactic or lacking in emotional resonance.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's production faced significant challenges due to its controversial subject matter, leading to difficulties in securing funding and distribution.

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