A large Wallonia-Brussels delegation at the Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême
The programme of the 15th edition of the Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême was unveiled on Thursday. It includes two major productions and three minority productions from Wallonia-Brussels, including "Habib" by Benoît Mariage, which will have its world premiere!
The Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême unveiled the programme for its 2022 edition on Thursday 6 July. Among the selected titles, let's greet Habib, the brand new film by Benoît Mariage (Daylight Films; Be For Films) presented in its world premiere in the official competition!
A young Brussels actor of Moroccan origin, Habib struggles to play anything other than the «service Arab» in films of no scale. Finally putting his convictions into practice in the theatre in an adaptation of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, he was offered a role in a large-scale film, for one scene with Catherine Deneuve. The elected officials of Molenbeek then ask to bring the star back to a reception to improve the image of the district. This is just one more burden for Habib, who also has to deal with the unexpected return of his sick father and his new wife.
Emmanuelle Nicot's first feature film, Dalva (Hélicotronc; Mk2 Films), will be presented in the section Les Premiers Rendez-vous. Another brilliant selection for this film, which already had its world premiere at the Semaine de la Critique in Cannes.
Dalva is 12 years old but dresses, wears make-up, and thinks of herself as a grown woman. One evening, she is abruptly removed from her father’s home. First revolting in total incomprehension, she meets Jayden, a social worker, and Samia, a teenager with a strong character. A new life seems to be opening up for Dalva: the one of a girl of her own age.
Also selected in competition is Youri Orekhoff's short film, Balaclava, produced by La Cambre.
Also selected at Cannes in the section Un Certain Regard, The Blue Caftan by Maryam Touzani co-produced by Velvet Films will be presented in the Official Competition.
Halim has been married for a long time to Mina, with whom he runs a traditional caftan store in the medina of Salé, in Morocco. The couple has always lived with Halim's secret, his homosexuality, which he has learned to keep quiet. Mina's illness and the arrival of a young apprentice will upset this balance. United in their love, each will help the other face his fears.
A noter aussi la sélection du film d'Ursula Meier La ligne coproduit par Les Films du Fleuve dans la section Les Flamboyants.
After violently attacking her mother Christina during an argument, Margaret is arrested by the police and ordered not to go within 200 metres of the family home. "Locked out", Margaret will never stop trying to make amends for her actions and this imaginary line will crystallize all the tensions in this dysfunctional family.
Guillaume Bureau's film Loving Memories (Frakas Productions), co-produced between France and Belgium, is also in the Premiers rendez-vous section.
Julien Delaunay is reported missing in action during the Great War. His wife, Julie, refuses to believe he is dead. 1919. When a photo of an amnesic drifter appears in the press, Julie immediately recognizes him as her beloved husband. They are reunited and, little by little, she helps him to fall in love with her again. Until another woman claims to be the man’s real wife…
On the short side, there is also Bazigaga by Joseline Ingabire Moys, a short film co-produced with France, England and Belgium (White Boat Pictures), which will have its world premiere as part of a tribute to Rwandan cinema.
Rwanda, June 1994. While the genocide of the Tutsis continues, Bazigaza, the village witch, takes under her wing a pastor and his daughter who are being hunted by the Interahamwe militia. They want to get their hands on this father of a family, and will do anything to get him back…
Finally, it is worth noting the presence of several French-speaking Belgian production companies among the credits of some movies: Artémis Productions (Drinving Madeleine by Christian Carion, opening film), Artémis Productions (L'astronaute de Nicolas Giraud) and Left Field Ventures (Les secrets de mon père by Véra Belmont).
The Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême is one of the most important events for French-speaking cinema. The festival defends a popular and subtle cinema that enthuses professionals and amateurs alike, neophytes and film lovers.
The 15th edition of the festival will take place from 23 to 28 August.
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