Watch The Unknown Saint

The Unknown Saint is a heartwarming comedy-drama film from 2019 that was directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem. Set in a remote Moroccan village, the movie follows the story of a thief who hides a large sum of money in the desert, intending to retrieve it later. However, he is soon caught by the police and sent to jail. Years later, upon his release, the thief returns to the village to recover his money only to find that a shrine had been built over the spot where he had hidden the loot. The locals, who believe that the shrine has healing powers, believe that it houses the remains of an unknown saint. The thief, eager to retrieve his money, decides to pose as a doctor and starts treating the locals who come to the shrine seeking a miracle cure.

As the thief continues to treat the religious pilgrims, he soon realizes that the fake saint has taken on a life of its own and that his plan to retrieve the money may not be as straightforward as he had once thought. Moreover, a group of foreign workers, who are working on a construction site close to the shrine, end up stumbling upon the hidden loot, resulting in a series of events that will change the course of everyone's lives forever.

The film's main cast comprises of some of the most talented Moroccan actors of the present day. Younes Bouab plays the role of the thief and delivers a convincing performance that portrays the character's humorous and poignant struggle to redeem himself. Salah Ben Saleh plays the role of the village imam who presides over the shrine and does his best to keep the pilgrims at bay. Bouchaib Semmak, on the other hand, plays the role of the head of the construction crew who inadvertently uncovers the hidden money and ends up getting involved in the village's many tussles.

One of the main themes of the movie is the dichotomy between modernity and tradition. The film highlights the conflict between a society that is steeped in traditional beliefs and values and the forces of modernity that threaten to disrupt its way of life. Through the interaction of the characters, the film portrays a realistic and nuanced depiction of a society in transition, trying to reconcile the traditional with the modern.

The Unknown Saint is also notable for its beautiful cinematography. The film's stunning landscapes of the Moroccan desert, with its rocky outcrops, are well captured, and the use of long shots to emphasize the beauty of the landscape adds a sense of depth and scale to the film. Additionally, the use of subdued colors and natural lighting gives the film a rustic, earthy feel, which complements its themes of tradition and simplicity.

Overall, The Unknown Saint is a delightful and thought-provoking film that manages to combine humor and drama in equal measure. The performances are top-notch, the direction is competent, and the story is engaging. It's a film that will appeal to audiences looking for something unique and original in their cinema experience.