The Last Man (Atlal)

2006, Lebanon, France, 101 Mins, Color, 35 mm, North American Premiere

Director/ Screenwriter: Ghassan Salhab

Director of Photography: Jaques Bouquin

Sound: Patrick Allex

Editor: Michele Tyan

Music: Cynthia Zaven

Starring: Carlos Chahine

Review by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com

Tribeca Film Festival 2007

Twilight Zone, Nosferatu and for consideration for Best Actor….sophistication

A story about Dr Khalil, who is a popular a person as in a very very respectable Pediatrician. Kids believe him and their parents fall in love with him. Dr.. Khalil ( Carlos Chahine ) is a statuesque god like person who everyone looks up to in society. Suddenly people see him change after a bout with a mysterious fever. He misses appointments, he avoids sexual advances from sexy women and he zones out a lot.

But all of this becomes intriguing because this movie is set in violent stricken Beirut. Seeing how sophisticated their lives are in that city…which is very much as Western as looks can be. But more sophisticated is the performance of actor Carlos Chahine. Inspite of his lack of dialogue he draws you in. He is hypnotic, intriguing and mysterious. He looks like Telly Savalas but has the acting prowess of Ben Kingsley. He glides through the hospital like a spiritual being and floats in the night like Nosferatu. Mind you Dr Khalil is also a VAMPIRE….

This film is an Eastern version of a modern day Dracula story….yes they show gore, yes they show sex, yes it is dark but this is a sophisticated and classy movie, much like the sophistication that Carlos Chahine portrays on screen. You will be intrigued with his suave character as he unravels himself at the end….you will sympathize with him as he spirals down and succumbs to the temptation of the underworld. You will hate him …. for destroying (young) lives……but you will applaud Carlos Chahine’s performance as maybe, just maybe....he will be this year’s Tribeca Film Festival Best Actor awardee…. You heard it first here at wwww.Fanclubx.com

10 out of 10

Tribeca Film Festival 2007 Box Office Information about The Last Man (Atlal)