At age 18, Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim) is just beginning a six-year prison sentence in this drama from director Jacques Audiard. Though he cannot read or write, Malik soon figures out the politics of the prison system, giving him a prime spot in the power struggle between two battling groups of prisoners. With the wisdom and the mistakes of his mentors, Malik arms himself until finally he is strong enough to rely on his wits – and conveniently rediscovered faith – alone. And we, the audience, are right there with him until the last frame.This is staggeringly impressive film-making, a picture which instantly takes its place among the greats of the prison and crime genres.