- Source: Return to Bollene
Return to Bollene (French: Retour à Bollène) is a 2018 Franco-Moroccan film written, directed, and co-produced by Moroccan-French filmmaker Saïd Hamich Benlarbi.
Synopsis
The film follows the story of Nassim, a 30-year-old man who returns to his hometown of Bollène, only to find it in a state of devastation under the rule of the League of the South, and a strained relationship with his father. Nassim, who now resides in Abu Dhabi with his American fiancée, confronts the challenges of his past and present as he navigates through the social and political issues of his hometown.
Cast
The cast includes:
Anas El Baz as Nassim
Kate Colebrook as Elizabeth
Saïd Benchnafa as Mouss
Bénédicte-Lala Ernoult as Hajjar
Jamila Charik as Nassim's mother
Abdelhak Saleh as Nassim's father
Lamia Menioui as Asma
Production
Return to Bollene was directed by Moroccan-French filmmaker Saïd Hamich Benlarbi. He also wrote the script, and the film was co-produced by his company Barney Production with Mont Fleuri Production.
Themes
Return to Bollene explores themes of cultural identity, societal change, and the complexities of familial relationships in the face of political turmoil.
Release
Return to Bollene was screened at the following film festivals and events:
Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival (2017)
Cinemed: Mediterranean Cinema's Festival of Montpellier (2017)
Sarlat Film Festival (2018)
Festival Itinérance of Alès (2018)
Festival del Cinema Francese de Firenze, Florence, Italy
Manarat Film Festival
Institut français de Amman – Special screening
Institut français d’Alger – Special screening
Tübingen Stuttgart Festival International du Film Francophone
It was released in French cinemas on 30 May 2018.
Critical reception
Upon its release, Return to Bollene received mostly positive reviews.
Richard Brody of The New Yorker wrote that the film "is a rare fusion of societal analysis and personal experience, of the complex and agonized intertwining of private and public lives, domestic and civic forces".
Julien Gester from Libération highlighted the film's unique perspective on societal issues. However, Pierre Vavasseur from Le Parisien expressed some disappointment in the depth of the narrative.
Awards and nominations
In 2017, Return to Bollene was honoured with the Contrabandes Prize at the Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival.
It was nominated for the Louis Delluc Prize for a first feature film in 2019, and received a Special Mention at the Festival del Cinema Francese de Firenze (Festival France Odeon 2018).
References
External links
Return to Bollene at IMDb
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Return to Bollene
- Saïd Hamich Benlarbi
- Monte Carlo Rally
- 2025 Tour de France
- Order of the Blessed Sacrament
- Carpentras
- Heinrich von Poschinger
- 28th Artillery Regiment "Livorno"
- Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
- Villefranche-sur-Mer
