The Arab

The Arab — Plot

Haroun is an old bachelor who has lived in Oran for several years. A retired civil servant, he leads a reclusive life until the day he meets Kamel in a bar—a journalist to whom he tells an incredible story dating back to 1942. He claims to be the brother of ‘the Arab’ killed in a story told in one of the most famous novels of the 20th century, ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus. An Arab with an erased name: Moussa. Through anger, assertions, details, and confidences, Haroun finally convinces the journalist to listen to his story. His confession is a cry of freedom and distress—but above all, a cry of revolt: against an abusive mother, against a country that failed to achieve true independence, against a book, and against a famous French writer.

• Release date
• November 4, 2026
• Runtime
• 106 min
• Genres
• Drama
• Director
• Malek Bensmaïl

The Arab — Cast

Ahmed Benaissa Haroun Hiam Abbass Mother Dali Benssalah Haroun (young) Nabil Asli Kamel Amina Ben Ismaïl Grégoire Monsaingeon Mustapha Ayad Raphaël Thiéry