La vache (2016)

An Algerian man's life-long dream finally comes true when he receives an invitation to take his cow Jacqueline to the Paris International Agriculture Fair.

Director:

Mohamed Hamidi

Writers:

Alain-Michel Blanc (dialogue), Alain-Michel Blanc (screenplay)

Stars:

Fatsah Bouyahmed, Lambert Wilson, Jamel Debbouze

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fatsah Bouyahmed	...	Fatah
Lambert Wilson	...	Philippe
Jamel Debbouze	...	Hassan
Hajar Masdouki	...	Naïma
Fehd Benchemsi	...	Samir du webcafé
Catherine Davenier	...	Jacqueline
Abdellah Chakiri	...	Mokhtar
Amal El Atrache	...	L'institutrice
Miloud Khetib	...	Hamé Hamed
Brigitte Guedj	...	Brigitte
Christian Ameri	...	Lucien
Sara Boutaghriad
Lamia El Wali
Mohamed Razine
Karina Marimon	...	Cathy

Storyline

It's a fact. Fatah, a sympathetic Algerian farmer, even more than his wife, he only has eyes for his prized heifer Jacqueline, dreaming to see her victorious at Paris' renowned competition in the annual Salon de l'Agriculture. And then one day, much to the village's surprise, unsuspecting Fatah's faith and perseverance finally pay off when he receives a long-awaited precious invitation to take part in the prestigious contest. So without delay, Fatah who had never left neither his family nor his village, sets off on an exciting open-air adventure full of surprises and unexpected encounters; at first by boat to Marseille and then afterwards on foot with his beloved Jacqueline always on his side, heading towards Paris. Undoubtedly, this is a unique long-distance journey that won't go unnoticed.

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Plot Keywords:

algerian woman | algeria | drunk | road movie | tv news | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Arabic

Release Date:

17 February 2016 (France)

Also Known As:

No se metan con mi vaca

Filming Locations:

Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Box Office

Budget:

$5,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Quad Productions, Kiss Films, Pathé

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

On a failli tourner le film en Arabie Saoudite

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Goofs

Around 01:04:54, the functionary keeps his hands along his body. On the next shot, his hands are on the bar. On the next shot, they are along his body again. And so on...

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Quotes

Fatah: C'est la faute de la poire!

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Connections

Features The Cow and I (1959)

User Reviews

Very good, solidly constructed Algerian-French cultural experience

This here is not a complacent review out to be over-enthusiastic about the Algerian-French phenomenon, but rather one that looks at the genuine quality of this very refreshing, honest, solidly crafted and well inspired contemporary comedy.

The plot is simple, and it's the adventure in the various places it takes the lead 'Fatah', the journey including the different people, sensitivities and emotions he discovers, the Algeria vs France contradictions and intrinsic antagonisms, and ultimately, his epiphany while being away from home in discovering more about himself from a newer perspective.

The film overall is very well crafted, perfectly coherent and follows a very good rhythm. The jokes are good, the humor is lively and very culturally-charged and finally there are many little references/remarks/hints with implication and symbol that require a particular wit in understanding carefully laid throughout the playtime.