Monsieur Ibrahim (2003)

In Paris, a Turkish shop owner befriends a Jewish boy in his mid-teens.

Director:

François Dupeyron

Writers:

François Dupeyron, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (novel)

Stars:

Omar Sharif, Pierre Boulanger, Gilbert Melki

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Omar Sharif	...	Monsieur Ibrahim Deneji
Pierre Boulanger	...	Moses 'Momo' Schmitt
Gilbert Melki	...	Le père de 'Momo'
Isabelle Renauld	...	La mère de 'Momo'
Lola Naymark	...	Myriam
Anne Suarez	...	Sylvie
Mata Gabin	...	Fatou
Céline Samie	...	Eva
Isabelle Adjani	...	La star
Guillaume Gallienne	...	Le vendeur voiture
Guillaume Rannou	...	Le realisateur
Manuel Le Lièvre	...	Le moniteur auto-école (as Manuel Lelièvre)
Daniel Znyk	...	Le gendarme
Françoise Armelle	...	La maitresse d'école
Sylvie Herbert	...	L'eximinateur

Storyline

In a street called Blue in a very poor neighborhood in Paris, Monsieur Ibrahim is an old Muslim Turkish owner of a small market. He becomes friend of the teenager Jewish Moises, tenderly nicknamed Momo, who lives with his father in a small apartment on the other side of the street. Monsieur Ibrahim gives paternal love and teaches the knowledge of the Qur'an to the boy, receiving in return love and respect.

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Plot Keywords:

turkish | love | jewish | boy | friend | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] Official site [Italy]

Country:

France

Language:

French Turkish

Release Date:

9 April 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Monsieur Ibrahim

Filming Locations:

Turkey

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$531,320 (France), 19 September 2003

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,696, 16 February 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,823,837, 1 August 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

ARP Sélection, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Having appeared in too many less than mediocre films, actor Omar Sharif had decided no longer to appear in films, because he didn't believe that he would be offered another meaningful role. He did, however, still read any scripts that were sent to him. And when he read the script for Monsieur Ibrahim, he immediately knew that he wanted to make the film.

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Quotes

Monsieur Ibrahim: Slowness is the key of happiness.

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Connections

References Contempt (1963)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Little Sixteen
Written by Chuck Berry

User Reviews

Nice Cheerful Little French Movie

I went to see the movie after reading very good reviews during last Venice Film Festival. It was generally described as a fairytale about tolerance and friendship - ant that's what it is. A fairytale Paris quarter, with fairytale 'putaines', a wise middle aged shopkeeper, a smart teenager - everyday life goes on with a little happiness, a little tragedy, nice period music, simple happy philosophy. The second half of the movie goes on-the-road - in a fairytale Turkey, though definitely more realistic than Paris. Omar Sharif is good, and Pierre Boulanger is even better. This film is perfect to spend a cheerful evening and it is a little joyful lesson on religious tolerance and friendship.