The movie “Le Grand Voyage” tells a story of a heavy relationship between a father and his young son. Because of the difference in beliefs and culture they are not connecting. The father has to go to Mecca, and because he cannot fly an airplane due to his religious beliefs he tells his son that he is going to drive him. His authority leaves no place for appellation and so, the journey begins. A lot of the movie shows the road trip and how the father and his son communicate. It focuses on their relationship within the family but also, in the greater scope of things. Upon arrival to the destination, both have gained valuable experience and understanding of each other and the self. They have also got a chance to look at the world and the modern times from a different perspective which led each person to make certain changes in attitude and behavior (Le Grand Voyage).
The director of the “Le Grand Voyage” is Ismael Ferroukhi, and it came out in year 2004. The movie has several major themes. One of them describes the way there is gender separation within a society. It illustrates that it is a sad truth how women are regarded as beings who must please their men, do house chores and not have lives of their own. This shows that the Muslim religious society did not favor women much, and the gender roles were not going to be crossed (Teece 10). At the same time, there are those who believe that a strong nation cannot have such separation between genders and people. The movie has an ability to connect to the viewer, as it depicts the life of characters in a personal and emotional way.
The other theme relates to the relationship between a father and son who have been distant for a long time. One of the most important themes is the difference between the cultural time, modernization of the world and religious beliefs. The young son is focused on getting his education and making it in the big world while the father stays greatly religious, and his son’s studies are not that important. It goes to show that he does not understand what is most important in the modern world, and does not preoccupy himself with what will happen to his son’s future. The scenes and themes are accented by the camera angles. Point of view is also important because it speaks to the personal character and their thoughts.
The element that reinforces the scenes and the theme of the movie is the way the camera is positioned. The authority of the individuals and their beliefs are accented by the level on which a scene is shot. For example, in the very first scenes when Reda gets the door at the scrap yard for his older brother, he is shown to be on a greater elevation. Even though it is unknown at the moment, but this represents that his understanding of the surrounding world and morale are somewhat “higher” or more advanced. At the same time, the older brother is down below, looking up at his younger brother. Later, he gets arrested for drinking and loses his license, and this serves as another proof that he is more immoral than his brother. The scene where Reda is told that he must drive his father to Mecca also has the camera positioned on different angles. When the father and son sit together and Reda receives the news, the camera shows them on the same level which suggests strength of characters.
Later, when the father leaves, Reda is shown to look up at his mother, which represents the fact that his mother is wiser and has more authority. When the voyage begins and the father and son arrive at the customs, Reda does not understand how the father can go and pray in such an inappropriate time and place. The father, on the other hand, is shown to be on an elevation while he is praying. This signifies the fact that he is very religious and considers himself to be close to God while everyone else is down below with their limited understanding. As the movie progresses, both men are shown on the same level more often, which illustrates that their understanding of each other and the surrounding world have been modified. Now, they are completely equal, as both understand reality of the world more deeply and profoundly.
This movie is very significant in its description of personal views and values. I liked the movie because it looks at the inner beliefs of the person, and conflicts it with other people who are closest. Even though the modern world is changing, and more people are accepting of other’s religion, the movie clearly illustrates that there are still major differences in personal beliefs and reasons for behavioral specifics. The major theme of religion and keeping the roots of the ancestors speaks to the viewer, and shows how important it is not to forget the origins (Zepp 11). But at the same time, it stresses that people in the modern world should act like it, and not become entangled in the past limitations.
Works Cited
Le Grand Voyage. Ex. Prod. Ismael Ferroukhi. Paris, France: Pyramide Distribution. 2004. FILM.
Teece, Geoff. Islam. North Mankato, MN: Black Rabbit Books, 2004. Print.
Zepp, Ira. A Muslim Primer: Beginner’s Guide to Islam. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press, 2000. Print.