Highly Overrated But Still Good

Expected more

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

My brother the Devil is the first independent film by British director Sally El Hosani and it explores the gritty reality of gang life and its abhorrent approaches on the LGBT community. My brother the devil follows close blood brothers Mo (Fady Elsayed) and Rasch (James Floyd) and how their differences slowly drive them apart. What is interesting with this drama is that Sally El Hosani was born in Hackney - where this controversial drama is set and her half Egyptian heritage reflects that of the two protagonists.The represented themes that could be deemed most shocking to the audience in this drama are the Muslim and gang approaches to the LGBT community. When Rasch steps down from his position in a local gang in hope of a less chaotic and turbulent lifestyle, he slowly realises his sexuality with fellow ex-gang member Sayyid (Saïd Taghmaoui). When his brother Mo discovers this he is full of disgust and shame and rejects Rasch's relation to him, screaming 'Wish you were never my brother!'. The audience feels forced to watch in contempt as Mo adopt Rasch's previous role in a gang as he begins to run a drug dealing firm, almost in a desperate attempt to re-scramble the sense of masculinity within his family that he feels he lost with Rasch's sexuality. The shocking revelation that follows is that Mo would rather admit to his brother being a terrorist than homosexual, which speaks volumes in how this drama represents the views of LGBT's in gang culture and Islam.My brother the devil is shockingly poignant and an impressive first entry by documentary director Sally El Hosani which provides a hard hitting narrative on sensitive themes. It depicts how familial love can be broken down by a clash of conservative views and modern reality.

in society, there are many contemporary issues within the working class, highly due to the fact of the rise in immigration in the past decade, raising the hostility and prejudices towards those who was not born here. Sally tackles the issue of race extremely well, and deals with the problems within racial and social demographics surrounding homosexuality. she explores the cultural in-differences surrounding it. for example, Mo says that he would rather have a brother that is a terrorist than one who is a homo, which speaks volumes for a minority of Muslim fundamentalists who feel the same, and some more conservative religious viewers who would share the same view, regardless of what religion.this piece also tackles the more social related issues of gang culture and 'roadmen' it explores the vicious circle that many youths today find themselves in, and also demonstrates what is considered the only way out, and the betrayal that people can commit towards you.overall, I did think it was a good film mainly due to the brave and audacious issues raised, however, I do feel that it lacked a certain dramatic edge, and had a weak enigma throughout.

There is a lot more to this movie than the title/synopsis tells.Very well directed, but the consistent high acting from everyone especially the teenagers, is amazing. The character development(and changes) catches you off guard....in a good way.It is advertised as two brothers on the streets of London, but it is really a coming-of-age story about how environment/people influence what we are and what we do. It is a slow-moving movie, so do not expect 'Gangs of New York' or some type of gangster action movie. This movie is for those that enjoy a good drama that you can remember after watching it.Recommended those like good old fashion movie-making, without the CGI, high body count or overpriced actors who can't act.

Before I begin, I would just like to state the fact that I did not watch any trailer or read any long synopsis about the film. All I knew was it's about two Egyptian brothers living in the gangland side of London. Did this play well for me? Definitely. And I think this should be how everyone should watch movies. Minimal expectations and little to no presumptions. You'd appreciate the story more and you'd find yourself glued to the screen whatever genre it is.My Brother The Devil follows the story of two brothers living in the beautifully shot yet dangerous communities in East London. Mo, the younger brother idolizes his older brother Rashid who is part of a gang in the area, the DMG (Drugs, Money, Guns). Rashid wants nothing for his brother but to go a different path than him but he can't do this if his brother looks up to what he does as something to aspire. As part of the gang, Rashid sometimes engages in several illegal activities such as transporting drugs. When Mo gets into trouble with a rival group in the community headed by "Demon", things start turning for the worst.Events intensify as Rashid witnesses the death of his best friend Izzi who was trying to live a normal life out of the gang. This becomes a turning point for him to start cleaning up his act and leave his gang without notice. Through a newly formed friendship with a rich photographer, Sayyid, Rashid starts to change his ways and finally earns a job as an assistant. Growing suspicious of his brother's absence, Mo follows his brother only to be torn apart with what he finds out. He takes his brother's place in the gang and becomes more involved with its illegal activities.A lot of people are calling the movie out on this twist but if you look back at the scenes leading up to the film's midpoint, it was well-hinted. There are many scenes that indicate the upcoming reveal so while it took my be surprise, it wasn't that big of a shock. It is actually in line with the overall idea of the film. It's about growing up and making decisions in your life about things you cannot change and taking action for your own betterment.At first, I thought it was going to be mostly about the younger brother following his brother around and learning more about life in this perspective. What surprised me was the equal treatment of the two characters. Both of them were undergoing great changes in their lives and their decisions that come after have great effect later on. As the danger of Rashid's old life tries to catch up with him, bonds are put to test leading up to the thrilling pre-final scenes of the film.The biggest asset of "My Brother" undoubtedly comes from the two main leads. James Floyd is a force to be reckoned with as he exhibits immense versatility in playing the gang member brother of the duo. If you see him as an actor, you'll be surprised at how different he is from his previous projects and in real life. It's like watching a whole different person acting in this film. He even adopted the necessary accent fit for the role. Fady Elsayed appears to be no stranger in acting yet you'd be surprised to know, it's only his first time to act on screen. His chemistry with his friend Aisha (Letitia Wright) flows naturally and captures the sweet side to a character trying to measure up to his brother's name.Another strong point of the film is its cinematography, allowing a supposedly dangerous community appearing as liveable yet could pose an imminent threat to the character's lives anytime. As Sayyid once points out in the film, it's all about the framing. The film allows you to look into the fragile lives of the brothers despite the tough background they are in. Mad props to writer/director Sally El Hosaini on this debut feature, deserving of its buzz and multiple awards in several festivals in 2012.My Brother The Devil is a tender coming-of-age film with brilliantly acted characters and an eye-catching visuals of the notorious gangland of East London. It's an exploration of identity, a test of brotherhood, and the exhibition of choice towards change.writelikesundance.wordpress.com