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Le premier homme

  • 20112011
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
546
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Le premier homme (2011)
  • Drama
The first man is an adaptation of the unfinished autobiographical novel "Le Premier Homme" by the french writer Albert Camus. It tells the story of Jacques Cormery and his childhood in Alger... Read allThe first man is an adaptation of the unfinished autobiographical novel "Le Premier Homme" by the french writer Albert Camus. It tells the story of Jacques Cormery and his childhood in Algeria.The first man is an adaptation of the unfinished autobiographical novel "Le Premier Homme" by the french writer Albert Camus. It tells the story of Jacques Cormery and his childhood in Algeria.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
546
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gianni Amelio
  • Writers
    • Gianni Amelio(screenplay)
    • Albert Camus(novel)
  • Stars
    • Michel Crémadès
    • Jacques Gamblin
    • Mickaël Batret
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gianni Amelio
  • Writers
    • Gianni Amelio(screenplay)
    • Albert Camus(novel)
  • Stars
    • Michel Crémadès
    • Jacques Gamblin
    • Mickaël Batret
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations

    Photos6

    Le premier homme (2011)
    Le premier homme (2011)
    Le premier homme (2011)
    Nino Jouglet in Le premier homme (2011)
    Le premier homme (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michel Crémadès
    Michel Crémadès
    • Gardien du cimetièreas Gardien du cimetière
    Jacques Gamblin
    Jacques Gamblin
    • Jacques Cormeryas Jacques Cormery
    Mickaël Batret
    • Étudiantas Étudiant
    Jean Benoit Souilh
    • Étudiantas Étudiant
    Nicolas Lublin
    • Journalisteas Journaliste
    Florent Chesné
    • Étudiantas Étudiant
    • (as Florent Chesne)
    Franck Mercadal
      Alexandre Michel
      • Étudiantas Étudiant
      Benoit Bertran de Balanda
      • Étudiantas Étudiant
      Catherine Sola
      • Catherine Cormery (1957)as Catherine Cormery (1957)
      Nino Jouglet
      • Jacques Cormery, enfantas Jacques Cormery, enfant
      Ulla Baugue
      • La grand-mèreas La grand-mère
      • (as Ulla Baugué)
      Maya Sansa
      Maya Sansa
      • Catherine Cormery (1913-1924)as Catherine Cormery (1913-1924)
      Barthélémy Gilet
      Jean-Bastien Périchon
        Nathan Blanchedan
        Nicolas Giraud
        Nicolas Giraud
        • Oncle Étienne (1924)as Oncle Étienne (1924)
        Christophe Dimitri Réveille
        • Antoineas Antoine
        • Director
          • Gianni Amelio
        • Writers
          • Gianni Amelio(screenplay)
          • Albert Camus(novel)
        • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
        • All cast & crew

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        Storyline

        Edit
        The first man is an adaptation of the unfinished autobiographical novel "Le Premier Homme" by the french writer Albert Camus. It tells the story of Jacques Cormery and his childhood in Algeria.
        • based on novel
        • Plot summary
        • Add synopsis
        • Genre
          • Drama
        • Parents guide
          • Add content advisory

        Did you know

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        • Trivia
          The film was shot in French, but the Italian dubbed version features extremely well known actors whose voices are quite recognizable by the Italian public: Gamblin is dubbed by Pierfrancesco Favino, other characters are voiced by Ilaria Occhini, Sergio Rubini, Ricky Tognazzi, Kim Rossi Stuart and Giancarlo Giannini.
        • Connections
          References Il padrone delle ferriere (1919)

        User reviews1

        Review
        Top review
        9/10
        Staying true to a legend
        Based on an autobiographical book by Albert Camus, "Le Premier Homme" film follows Jean Cormery (Jacques Gamblin) the alter ego of the famed philosopher and journalist, on his return to Algeria in the late 1950s. He is back to visit his mother (Catherine Sola) to whom he is attached, reconnect with his past and trace stories of his father.

        The film is relayed in the past and present. We visit the writer's tender childhood through flashbacks, while the present carries the struggles of a man torn between the warmth of the Algerian sun, the weight of the colonialism stamp as pied-noir and the bitter relations between both continents.

        The mother and son conversations are some of the powerful scenes in "Le Premier Homme". She is overwhelmingly proud of what her son has become; he worries about her living alone in her advancing years. It is a unique bond, often charming in its silences. One can't be indifferent to the magnificent performances by both Gamblin and Sola.

        Then comes the Algerian land that Cormery insists on visiting, triggering his vivid reminiscence of childhood. We are shown how this young boy with innocent features showed, at a very early age, a remarkable gift for perception while excelling in his academic performances. This combination will define him as an adult as he tries to fight the effects of colonialism and pays a price for taking a stand on the dilemma.

        "Le Premier Homme" is adapted from the book with the same name, which was discovered after the tragic death of Camus in a car accident. The unfinished manuscript was published intact with Camus' notes and mistakes years later. The incomplete autobiography combines the passions inherited from his Algerian birthplace with the probing intellect of a revolutionary existentialistic and genuine thinker. Camus's words are translated into images allowing us to follow the development of his on-screen persona. The omnipresence of the sun and sea captures the hospitality of the Algerian landscape as he's always described it.

        Winner of the Prize of the International Critics for Special Presentation at the Toronto Film Festival 2011, "Le Premier Homme" manages to stay loyal to Camus' spirit. As co-producer Bruno Pésery explained at the Dubai International Film Festival last year, the filmmakers filled the narrative gaps of the incomplete book using archival pictures and letters of the author, with the collaboration of Camus's daughter.

        When I first learnt about this film at DIFF, I approached the screening with feelings of fear and excitement. The writings of Camus shaped my early thoughts. Fortunately, the film keeps the integrity of his beautiful descriptions intact: the cinematography, focusing on sunny panoramas and warm-colored flashbacks, offers an authentic view of Algeria.

        This is no surprise as Italian director Gianni Amelio, winner of Canne's Grand Jury Award for his 1992 feature "The Stolen Children" has combined his interest in philosophy with a sympathy for Camus' upbringing; both were raised by their mothers and grandmothers and deeply affected by the absence of paternal figures. The results make for a meticulously crafted and emotional film. Fans of Camus will find "Le Premier Homme" both cathartic and heart-warming.
        helpful•12
        1
        • socialmedia-437-956449
        • Aug 16, 2012

        Details

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        • Release date
          • April 20, 2012 (Italy)
        • Countries of origin
          • France
          • Italy
          • Algeria
        • Official site
          • Official site (Japan)
        • Language
          • French
        • Also known as
          • The First Man
        • Production companies
          • Cattleya
          • Soudaine Compagnie
          • Maison de Cinema
        • See more company credits at IMDbPro

        Box office

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        • Gross worldwide
          • $1,006,991
        See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

        Technical specs

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        • Runtime
          1 hour 41 minutes
        • Color
          • Color
        • Aspect ratio
          • 1.85 : 1

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