Film Review: 13 Tzameti

About 13 Tzameti (2005) Hard-hitting French thriller. Sebastien (George Babluani) leads an impoverished life with his immigrant family, constantly struggling to find the money for their next meal. When hired to repair the roof of the morphine-addicted Godon (Philippe Passon), Sebastien eavesdrops in on a conversation which appears to offer a quick and easy solution to his money troubles. Taking on the identity of Godon, Sebastien follows a series of clues which lead him ever closer to his impending fate. The trail eventually leads Sebastien into the heart of the French countryside and face to face with a ring of clandestine gamblers who bet on human lives. From this point on there is no turning back.

Starring: George Babluani, Aurélien Recoing, Pascal Bongard, Fred Ulysse, Nicolas Pignon

Directed by: Géla Babluani

Runtime: 93 minutes

Studio: Palm Pictures

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Review: 13 Tzameti

It’s very much a case of wrong place and wrong time for Sebastian (George Babluani) who is repairing the roof of a residence owned by a troubled drug addict, Godon (Philippe Passon). When Godon dies, Sebastian is horrified to find Godon’s widow (Olga Legrand) cannot pay him. He decides to complete the work anyway and overhears the widow talking with another man about a job her husband was going to do with a substantial payment and that a letter had been sent to him with tickets and a hotel reservation. Sebastian has come into possession of the letter by chance and decides to go on the job himself, not realising what is waiting for him at the end.

Though Godon’s associates are stunned to find Sebastian coming to them, they reluctantly take him along to an isolated house where a group of men, all given numbers, are to take part in a game of chance. Sebastian is number thirteen and he is unable to turn his back on what is in store. Gambling enthusiasts are each supporting one man and betting on their survival in a group game of Russian Roulette. The thirteen men are made to stand in a circle, each armed with a gun they point to the back of the head of the man in front and in the first round they are given one bullet and instructed to pull the triggers at the same time. Sebastian is understandably hesitant but once forced into the act he begins a deadly game where the betting continues until only one man is left. If Sebastian can survive he will win a substantial amount of money to support his poverty stricken family but every other man there is hoping for the same.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when 13 Tzameti started but once it became apparent about the game Sebastian would be taking part in I felt the film really came to life. It is a dark subject, certainly, but the film is tense for the second half as the game of chance unfolds. When only four remain, two are chosen at random to face off in a gripping decider. It is literally a winner takes all contest and for the loser there is nothing but death. Babuani’s film is in black and white which enhances the experience and mood of the overall narrative, minimising the violence of what we witness.

13 Tzameti is a dark but absorbing drama of one young man’s curiosity leading him down a dark and terrible path. Often uncompromising, Babluani’s film never lets up with the tension once Sebastian reaches the end of his journey and he is destined to never be the same again.

Verdict: 4/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 798 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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