Story perspectives

Camus' The Stranger and The Arab Premiere at Rotterdam

2/2/2026

23 4

Summary

Story summary

The director François Ozon's adaptation of Albert Camus' The Stranger premiered at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Algerian director Malek Bensmaïl's film The Arab also debuted at the festival.
The Arab tells Moussa's story through his brother Haroun's testimony and explores memory, identity, and colonialism, referencing Algeria's history and the Algerian Civil War.
Bensmaïl emphasizes the mother-son relationship and Algeria's context, with Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass playing the mother.

1 of 1

Story summary

The director François Ozon's adaptation of Albert Camus' The Stranger premiered at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Algerian director Malek Bensmaïl's film The Arab also debuted at the festival.
The Arab tells Moussa's story through his brother Haroun's testimony and explores memory, identity, and colonialism, referencing Algeria's history and the Algerian Civil War.
Bensmaïl emphasizes the mother-son relationship and Algeria's context, with Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass playing the mother.