Cartouches gauloises (2007)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Mehdi Charef

Writer:

Mehdi Charef (writer)

Release Date:

8 August 2007 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A pair of childhood friends spend a spring together before the summer Algeria's war of Independence. |

Plot Keywords:

Childhood | Algeria | Father | Friendship | Children

Cast

Mohamed Faouzi Ali Cherif	...	Ali (as Hamada)
Thomas Millet	...	Nicolas dit Nico
Tolga Cayir	...	Gino Sisti
Julien Amate	...	David
Mohammed El Amine Medjahri	...	Bachir (as Mohammed Medjari)
Sabrina Senoussi	...	La petite fille aux perles
Nassim Meziane	...	Paul
Aurore Labrugère	...	Julie
Nadia Samir	...	Habiba
Zahia Said	...	Aïcha
Bonnafet Tarbouriech	...	Barnabé, le chef de gare
Mohamed Dine Elhannani	...	Djelloul (as Mohammed Dine El Hannani)
Betty Krestinsky	...	Rachel
Assia Brahmi	...	Zina
Marc Robert	...	Lieutenant Laurent

Also Known As:

Summer of '62 (International: English title) (festival title)

Runtime:

France:92 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Filming Locations:

Maghnia, Oran, Algeria

Company:

K.G. Productions

Movie Connections:

References Vera Cruz (1954)

Soundtrack:

Bambino

Fantastic film

This was probably my favourite film at the Cannes Film Festival, and a bit of a surprise package. I hadn't heard much about it beforehand, but decided to take the gamble as it fitted very nicely into my schedule. And what a pleasant surprise!

A film on a subject as heavy as the French withdrawal from Algeria could be rather full-on, and it definitely was in parts, but what kept this piece going was the portrayal of the issue through the eyes of the children involved, both native Algerian and French expats. This device allowed for so many different aspects of the situation to be explored, and without judgement imposed.

The cinematography was a delight to watch, and the framing choices (such as the promo image of the boy staring out the back of the car) superb. The setting was so interesting as well, particularly to someone who didn't know a great deal about the situation.

The performances in Cartouches Gauloises are beautiful, unselfconscious, and subtle, particularly those of the children, and seeing the actors and director up on stage following the screening, you could tell how proud they were of the piece. They received a standing ovation at Cannes, and well- deserved too. One of the little boys couldn't stop the tears from spilling down his face, so sweet!

I would highly recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of world cinema.