A young Afghan refugee found an unusual job in Fremonta district of San Francisco which gives its title to the film Babak Jalali. This former translator for the American army is responsible for writing small notes for the “fortune cookies” (small biscuits containing a prediction) of a Chinese company. Until the day this lonely woman slips her phone number into one of the cookies in the hope of tempting fate.
“The messages found in “fortune cookies” offer a line of questioning about life, specifies the director. Their modesty, their poetry and their mischief reflect the general tone of the film. » A good dose of humor often rears its head without masking the not always rosy reality of the heroine exploited by a surly boss.
“Feel good” but not gnangnan
The shadow of Aki Kaurismaki and Jim Jarmusch hangs over this very beautiful film, awarded the Jury Prize at the Deauville Festival. Babak Jalali loves his main character and knows how to make us love him. Anaita Wali Zada sparkles with an energy that sets the heart in celebration. Without ever falling into the gnangnan “feel good movie”, the director brings to life a character who is uncomfortable in his skin but full of good will in a black and white that is as magnificent as it is exotic.
This reflection on life and the need to find one’s place in society exudes a charm as persuasive as that of its heroine. We are happy to have passed through the neighborhood of Fremont.