My Brother The Devil: Gangs Of London

Every year seems to bring a new British movie about growing up as an immigrant in England. This year, talented Welsh-Egyptian writer and director, Sally El Hosaini, gives us the award-winning My Brother The Devil, a look at two teenagers from an Egyptian family who get involved in gangs and quickly have to decide what path they want to go down for the rest of their lives.

James Floyd plays Rashid, the elder brother who is an established member of a gang and uses the money he makes from dealing drugs to incentivize his younger brother, Mohammad (Fady Elsayed) to stay in school. Rash doesn't want Mo to get involved in a gang - he sees no alternative for himself but wants to protect his little brother. Unfortunately, he can't help but drag Mo into his world, and after a particularly frightening encounter with some gang members, Mo decides he wants to join his brother's gang. At the same time, Rash has found a way out with a French-Moroccan photographer (Said Taghmaoui) who offers him a job, and he decides to leave the gang life. But of course, when Mo gets in trouble, Rash is dragged back in.

You've seen these motifs in most gangland movies. But the movie has some unexpected twists and its focus is squarely on the relationship between the two brothers. They seem close at the beginning but their relationship starts to fracture as Mo gets frustrated with Rash's paternalism and exhibits a typical teenage wish to rebel. Things take an ugly turn when he discovers a secret about Rash and the final act of the movie will have your heart leap into your mouth. The movie's title initially seems to refer to Rash, whose violent antics and swaggering bravado seem guaranteed to corrupt his younger brother. But as the movie progresses, it is clear that Mo is no angel himself, and both brothers bear responsibility for their choices and poor decisions.

Sally El Hosaini has constructed an engaging movie that is packed with action and emotion in equal measure. Certain scenes are not for the squeamish and the violence and awfulness of this kind of life is hard to take. Sadly it is a reality for many teenagers around the world, and My Brother The Devil offers an empathetic portrayal of who these kids are and why they do what they do. It isn't the easiest movie to watch but it is certainly worth a viewing.