The Imposter (2012)

A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.

Director:

Bart Layton

Stars:

Adam O'Brian, Anna Ruben, Cathy Dresbach

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 10 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adam O'Brian	...	Frédéric Bourdin
Anna Ruben	...	Carey Gibson
Cathy Dresbach	...	Nancy Fisher
Alan Teichman	...	Charlie Parker
Ivan Villanueva	...	Social Worker
Maria Jesus Hoyos	...	Judge
Anton Marti	...	Male Police Officer
Amparo Fontanet	...	Female Police Officer
Ken Appledorn	...	Vice Consul
Carey Gibson	...	Herself
Bryan Gibson	...	Himself
Beverly Dollarhide	...	Herself
Frédéric Bourdin	...	Himself (as Frederic Bourdin)
Nancy Fisher	...	Herself (as Nancy B. Fisher)
Phillip French	...	Himself

Storyline

A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who claims to a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who has been missing for 3 years.

---

Plot Keywords:

frenchman | texas | torture victim | impostor | stolen identity | 

---

Taglines:

There are two sides to every lie.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Avalon [es] Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

El impostor

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$22,379 (USA) (13 July 2012)

Gross:

$892,409 (USA) (21 November 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

24 Seven Productions, A&E IndieFilms, Film4

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

High mountains visible in background in at least five scenes including sister's airport departure, Nicholas boarding school bus, kids hanging out in vacant lot. Supposedly set in San Antonio which is in the Texas 'Hill Country' but we see real mountains in the background. End credits reveal recreated scenes were shot in Arizona including Phoenix, Buckeye and Avondale where there are numerous mountain ranges often visible in any direction you look at varying distances.

---

Soundtracks

"Listen to the Music"
Written by Tom Johnston
Performed by The Doobie Brothers

User Reviews

Interesting...

I saw this film at it's European premiere last night at the Edinburgh Film Festival and I was very surprised. The first 1/3 of the film is a well stylized documentary but then this story, which goes from implausible to downright absurd. If the story wasn't true, you would find yourself thinking that the director was trying to string you along and at the very end pop out and say "naw, I was just kidding". There are so many parts of it the require you to suspend belief only to remind yourself it was reality.

While there maybe no new information, the ability to portray complex situations from the perspective of the participant remind us all that truth and the human condition are relative. You are left with unanswered questions, doubts and just shaking your head. Well polished, well executed and well edited, there are few documentaries that can suck you into them and actually wonder what is next.