Hounds (Les Meutes)

There’s an unpleasant dog fight at the start that signals this could be about dog fighting in the back streets of Casablanca. Thankfully, it just sets up the premise of the film and doesn’t linger. Hounds concerns itself with criminal turf wars and the relationship between father Hassan (Abdellatif Masstouri) and his son Issam (Ayoub Elaid).

Both are petty criminals just about getting by with Hassan just out of jail. As hinted at the beginning there’s something of a local turf war brewing with Jellouta (Mohamed Kharbouchi) arriving with his allegedly drugged dog, ripping through the opposition and on that night local boss Dib’s (Abdellatif Lebriki) prized and beloved dog.

As revenge Dib orders Hassan to kidnap one of Jellouta’s gang. He does so with the help of his son which ends in disaster setting off a chain of events that quickly begin to get beyond them.

Over the course of the night writer and debut director Kamal Lazraq takes the viewer on a journey through the derelict parts of Casablanca, and its criminal fraternity. Hassan hoping that old acquaintances can help him out while his son gets ever more irritated by his father’s actions. The exchanges and situations are bleakly comedic though the film can barely be termed a comedy.

Lazarq at the same time explores the relationship between father and son. Which isn’t strong with Hassan unable to properly understand the seriousness of the situation. Issam more level-headed sticks with him more out of loyalty rather than any confidence in his father’s ideas, which are instinctive rather than thought through.

Elaid and Masstouri are excellent and believable as a son and father who really don’t have a lot going for them on any level. While not estranged they are distanced and for Hussan, possibly the job is an opportunity to restore a modicum of respect with his son.

Hounds will be in UK cinemas and Curzon Home Cinema on 14 June 2024