Road to Love

Rating:
Summary: Sensitive, compelling story about some Islamic gays
Review: 2001's "Tarik El Hob" (The Road To Love) is billed as a "Drama" but views more like a documentary, with the subject being homosexuality among French-Algerians. Karin is a student living with his girlfriend in Paris, who decides to tackle a sociology video project on that topic, and seeks out those open enough to be interviewed on camera. One of the early interviewees is Farid, a gay flight attendant, and the chemistry between the two is evident in their first meeting. Karim rebuffs Farid's good-natured flirtations, but it is clear he is flattered by the attention and somewhat intrigued by the possibility, though he repeatedly states that he is heterosexual and in love with his girlfriend. Farid's travels allow him to collect additional footage and research for Karim's project, and they get better acquainted in future meetings to review the information he obtained. Farid comes up with some tough questions for Karim, including why he doesn't see himself ever marrying his girlfriend, and why he chose this particular topic for his project. In time, the two make a journey to Morocco together, supposedly to do more research for the project, but both know it is a "honeymoon" of sorts for Karin to think about and reconcile his desires.

Beyond the story above, the film (actually, shot on video, in Paris, Marseille, Amsterdam and Morocco) is an informative and intriguing study of homosexuality among some Islamic cultures, where it was seen as an acceptable activity for young men before they married a woman, and where same-sex marriages actually took place until the mid 20th century. The story is told well, with attractive, non-stereotypical "actors" (Though obviously scripted, one wonders if part of this may be somewhat autobiographical, with the characters having the same names as those who play them.) and commendable techncial quality given the tiny budget. In French with English subtitles, some male nudity but no explicit sexual activity. DVD features deleted scenes and expanded versions of some of Karim's interviews.