The Mauritanian

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The Mauritanian
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKevin Macdonald
Screenplay by
  • M.B. Traven
  • Rory Haines
  • Sohrab Noshirvani
Story byM.B. Traven
Based onGuantanamo Diary
by Mohamedou Ould Slahi
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAlwin H. Küchler
Edited byJustine Wright
Music byTom Hodge
Production
companies
  • Topic Studios
  • Black Sheep Pictures
  • Convergent Media
  • Oak Street Films
  • SunnyMarch
  • Wonder Street
  • 30West
  • BBC Film
Distributed bySTXfilms
Release dates
  • February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12) (United States)
  • April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01) (United Kingdom)
Running time
129 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Languages
  • English
  • French
  • Arabic
Budget$14 million[2]
Box office$3.3 million[3][4]

The Mauritanian is a 2021 legal drama film directed by Kevin Macdonald from a screenplay written by M.B. Traven, Rory Haines, and Sohrab Noshirvani.[5] The film is based on the 2015 memoir Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a true story of Slahi's experience of being held for fourteen years without charge in the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The film stars Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Mauritanian was released in the United States on February 12, 2021 by STXfilms. In the United Kingdom, where all cinemas were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned theatrical release was cancelled and the film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 1, 2021.[6] It received mixed reviews from critics, but the performances of Rahim and Foster were praised. At the 78th Golden Globe Awards the pair were nominated for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama and Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, respectively, with Foster winning. At the 74th British Academy Film Awards the film received five nominations, including Best Film.

Premise

The film follows Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Rahim), who is captured by the U.S. government and is languishing in Guantanamo Bay detention camp without charge or trial. Losing all hope, Slahi finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Woodley). Together, they face countless obstacles in a desperate pursuit for justice. Their controversial advocacy, along with fabricated evidence uncovered by formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Cumberbatch), eventually reveals a shocking and far-reaching conspiracy.[7]

Cast

Production

The film was announced in November 2019. Kevin Macdonald signed on as director, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim and Shailene Woodley cast to star. Filming began December 2 in South Africa.[7] In December 2019, Zachary Levi joined the cast of the film.[8]

The film was originally known as Guantánamo Diary in its early development stages,[9] and as Prisoner 760 during production,[7] before being described as untitled in post-production.[10] In November 2020, the title was revealed to be The Mauritanian.[11]

Release

In August 2020, STX Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film. STX International will release the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland and pre-sold the international distribution rights at the American Film Market in November 2019.[10] The film was released in the United States on February 12, 2021 in theaters, with a digital demand release following on March 2, 2021.[12]

Reception

Box office

As of April 1, 2021, the film has made $835,724 domestically and $2,500,000 internationally, for a global total of $3,335,724.

In its opening weekend the film made $163,789 from 245 theaters, and $179,778 over the four-day President's Day weekend.[13] In its second weekend of release the film made $137,072 from 287 theaters.[14] In its third weekend, the film fell a mere 12.3% and made $120,192. In its fourth weekend, the film made $90,004.

Critical response

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 73% of 153 critic reviews were positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "The Mauritanian takes a frustratingly generic approach to a real-life story that might have been inspirational in other hands, but Tahar Rahim's performance elevates the uneven material."[15] According to Metacritic, which sampled 30 critics and calculated a weighted average score of 54 out of 100, the film received "mixed or average reviews".[16]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
AARP Movies for Grownups Award March 4, 2021 Best Supporting Actress Jodie Foster Won [17]
British Academy Film Award April 11, 2021 Best Film Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Beatriz Levin and Lloyd Levin Pending [18]
Outstanding British Film Kevin Macdonald, Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Beatriz Levin, Lloyd Levin, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani and M. B. Traven Pending
Best Actor in a Leading Role Tahar Rahim Pending
Best Adapted Screenplay M.B. Traven, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani Pending
Best Cinematography Alwin H. Küchler Pending
Casting Society of America April 15, 2021 Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Studio or Independent Feature - Drama Nina Gold, Christa Schamberger (location casting) Pending
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Tahar Rahim Nominated [19]
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Jodie Foster Won
Heartland Film Truly Moving Picture Award Kevin Macdonald Won
London Film Critics' Circle Awards February 7, 2021 Film of the Year The Mauritanian Nominated [20]
Director of the Year Kevin Macdonald Nominated
Actor of the Year Tahar Rahim Nominated
Women Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actor Tahar Rahim Pending
Best Female Action Hero Jodie Foster Pending

References

  1. ^ Rooney, David (January 12, 2021). "The Mauritanian: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. ^ https://www.nickiswift.com/343948/heres-how-much-tahar-rahim-is-really-worth/
  3. ^ "The Mauritanian (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "The Mauritanian (2021)". The Numbers. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Mauritanian (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  6. ^ Warner, Sam (19 February 2021). "Benedict Cumberbatch's new movie skips cinemas for Amazon release in the UK". digitalspy. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 1, 2019). "Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim & Shailene Woodley Board 'Prisoner 760', STX Launching At AFM". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Kit, Borys (December 27, 2019). "Zachary Levi Joins Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch in Drama 'Prisoner 760' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  9. ^ Busch, Anita (April 11, 2016). "Benedict Cumberbatch Comes Aboard 'Guantanamo Diary' As Producer". Deadline magazine. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  10. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 3, 2020). "Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim & Shailene Woodley Legal Thriller Stateside Rights Go To STX". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Davis, Clayton (2020-11-23). "Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim Make Late Entry Into Awards Race With STX Films' 'The Mauritanian' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  12. ^ "The Mauritanian | Official Movie Website | In Theaters Now, On Demand Everywhere March 2". The Mauritanian: Watch At Home | STX. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  13. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 14, 2021). "'The Mauritanian', 'The World To Come' And 'Willy's Wonderland' Enter Specialty Box Office Fray". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 21, 2021). "'Blithe Spirit', 'Silk Road' And 'The Violent Heart' Post To Specialty Box Office Board; 'Promising Young Woman' Crosses $5M". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "The Mauritanian (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 12 February 2021 suggested (help)
  16. ^ "The Mauritanian Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  17. ^ Lewis, Hilary (February 8, 2021). "AARP Movies for Grownups Awards: 'Trial of the Chicago 7,' 'Da 5 Bloods' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  18. ^ https://variety.com/2021/film/global/2021-bafta-film-awards-nominations-1234925403/
  19. ^ Oganesyan, Natalie; Moreau, Jordan (February 3, 2021). "Golden Globes 2021: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  20. ^ Ritman, Alex (January 12, 2021). "'Saint Maud' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Mauritanian&oldid=1016425019"