A Gang Story (2011)

After growing up in a poor gypsy camp, Edmond Vidal, aka Momon, has retained a sense of family, unfailing loyalty and pride in his origins. Most of all, he has remained friends with Serge ... See full summary »

Director:

Olivier Marchal

Writers:

Olivier Marchal (scenario), Edgar Marie (scenario)

Stars:

Gérard Lanvin, Tchéky Karyo, Daniel Duval

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Lanvin	...	Momon Vidal
Tchéky Karyo	...	Serge Suttel
Daniel Duval	...	Christo
Lionnel Astier	...	Dany Devedjian
Dimitri Storoge	...	Momon Vidal jeune
Patrick Catalifo	...	Commissaire Max Brauner
François Levantal	...	Joan Chavez
Francis Renaud	...	Brandon
Valeria Cavalli	...	Janou Vidal (as Valéria Cavalli)
Estelle Skornik	...	Lilou Suttel
Olivier Chantreau	...	Suttel jeune
Stéphane Caillard	...	Janou jeune
Florent Bigot de Nesles	...	Nick le Grec jeune
Nicolas Gerout	...	Christo jeune
Simon Astier	...	Dany Devedjian jeune

Storyline

After growing up in a poor gypsy camp, Edmond Vidal, aka Momon, has retained a sense of family, unfailing loyalty and pride in his origins. Most of all, he has remained friends with Serge Suttel, with whom he first discovered prison life - for stealing cherries. The two of them inevitably got involved in organized crime. The team they formed, the Gang Des Lyonnais, made them the most notorious armed robbers of the early 1970s. Their irresistible rise ended in 1974 with a spectacular arrest. Today, as he nears 60, Momon would like to forget that part of his life. He has found peace by retiring from the "business". He tends to his wife Janou, who suffered so in the past, and to his children and grandchildren, all of whom have great respect for this man of simple and universal values, so clear-headed and full of kindness. But then Serge Suttel, who has disowned nothing of his past, comes back into the picture.

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Plot Keywords:

france | 1970s | prison | gypsy camp | gypsy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language including sexual references, some nudity and brief drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on life events of real life French gangster Edmond Vidal aka Momon.

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Connections

Remade as Yaara (2020)

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Soundtracks

JE REVIENS TE CHERCHER
Written by Gilbert Bécaud and Pierre Delanoë
Interprété par Gilbert Bécaud
(c) S.O.C Le Rideau Rouge
(p) 1970 Capitol Music
avec l'autorisation de EMI Music France et Universal Music Vision

User Reviews

Decent gangster "mate" type flic

I was not as enthralled with this movie as other reviewers.

Technically beautifully filmed---the use of constant flashbacks through out the movie makes for constant abrupt changes--not my favorite style of story line.

The positives = the acting is good/Lanvin in the lead as Momon Vidal a gangster whose "mate" from their heyday in the 70s is being hunted by a mobster.

Momon helps him out because of "mate" gangster honor. According to the story De Gaulle used thugs to rob money for his political needs--one I had never heard. ?? Possible I suppose. The use of ethnic gypsy (Roman) material is not syrupy PC and over done a plus.

Has the requisite number of quick shot em up scenes that would require the marksmanship of an Olympic gold medalist. You know the angry good gangster enters a restaurant and picks off half a dozen bad gangsters in as many shots.

Also a few twists including the denouement to keep you interested.

It is good quality crafted entertainment maybe even a 7.5

RECOMMEND

Details

Official Sites:

Gaumont [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

France Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

30 November 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

A Gang Story

Filming Locations:

La Boisse, Ain, France

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,249,599

Company Credits

Production Co:

LGM Productions, Gaumont, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1