100% Arabica

Story Line: Cultures and values clash in a housing project outside Paris inhabited by North African immigrants (Cheb Khaled, Mohamed Khelifati, Najim Laouriga). Many residents rally around the music group Rap Oriental, who sing pop/dance songs to combat the project's in-fighting and prejudice.

Bottom Line: With its racial tensions and diverse cast of characters, 100% Arabica plays a bit like a French/North African Do the Right Thing mixed with a touch of Hustle & Flow, without possessing the passion and focus of either of those films. Arabica's strongest element is the music, a mesmerizing fusion of Algerian dance and western rap. Unfortunately, the songs are not subtitled, so we don't know the social message of the music. But it seems clear to many of the staunch Muslim project residents that the stuff is no good for the soul. In addition to spiritual concerns, threats of eviction and police harassment create greater tension as the film bounces from one conflict to another. Because of cultural divides that don't easily translate to western audiences and a story line that is all over the map, the characters are difficult to understand and it's hard to empathize with their plight. But those intrigued by the merging of eastern and western music cultures should find some bright danceable moments here.