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
editThe 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.[1][2][3][4] 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
edit- 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
editReturn to Bollene was directed by Moroccan-French filmmaker Saïd Hamich Benlarbi.[7] He also wrote the script, and the film was co-produced by his company Barney Production with Mont Fleuri Production.[8]
Themes
editReturn to Bollene explores themes of cultural identity, societal change, and the complexities of familial relationships in the face of political turmoil.[9][10][11][12][13]
Release
editReturn to Bollene was screened at the following film festivals and events:
- Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival (2017)[7]
- Cinemed: Mediterranean Cinema's Festival of Montpellier (2017)[7]
- Sarlat Film Festival (2018)[7]
- Festival Itinérance of Alès (2018)[7]
- Festival del Cinema Francese de Firenze, Florence, Italy[7]
- Manarat Film Festival[8]
- Institut français de Amman – Special screening[8]
- Institut français d’Alger – Special screening[8]
- Tübingen Stuttgart Festival International du Film Francophone[8]
It was released in French cinemas on 30 May 2018.[7]
Critical reception
editUpon its release, Return to Bollene received mostly positive reviews.[citation needed]
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".[14]
Julien Gester from Libération highlighted the film's unique perspective on societal issues.[citation needed] However, Pierre Vavasseur from Le Parisien expressed some disappointment in the depth of the narrative.[citation needed]
Awards and nominations
editIn 2017, Return to Bollene was honoured with the Contrabandes Prize at the Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival.[7]
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).[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "Return to Bollene (Retour à Bollène)". Cineuropa. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Retour à Bollène". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Return to Bollene de Saïd Hamich (2018) - Unifrance". japan.unifrance.org. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Return to Bollene". FamousFix.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Saïd Hamich". MUBI. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Retour à Bollène". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Retour à Bollène-en". Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Return to Bollene". International. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "RETURN TO BOLLENE". inter.pyramidefilms.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Caparrós, Elena (20 May 2021). "Africa shortly: saying a lot in little time". FCAT | Festival de Cine Africano de Tarifa~Tánger. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Return to Bollene de Saïd Hamich (2018)". Unifrance. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "LA MER AU LOIN". Atlas Ateliers. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Mii6tv". mii6tv.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Brody, Richard (10 May 2019). ""Return to Bollène," Reviewed: An Arab Man's Painful Homecoming in the South of France". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
