Rachid Djaïdani is an English boxing champion, actor, author of three novels and a first feature film in 2012, who has already appeared at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight, Rengaine. In this second film, he brings together Gérard Depardieu, whom he calls the Mohamed Ali of French cinema, and the young rapper Sadek. This is the first film for Gérard Depardieu, and the two-hundred-and-twentieth or so for Sadek. It's probably a coincidence, but the plot is reminiscent of Saint-Amour, released earlier this year. Once again, Depardieu travels the length and breadth of France with a son (in this case, a surrogate). A priori, they have nothing to say to each other. The discovery of a territory unites their solitudes, soothes their anxieties and opens up an unexpected dialogue. Where Kervern and Délépine unleashed their comedic genius, Rachid Djaïdani sticks to a melancholy that believes only in individual relationships. The old prolo réac who learned to paint in prison runs around France to join the viewpoint of the marine painter Joseph Vernet (1714-1789) across the centuries. The young rapper in peril who accompanies him lives his Bildungsroman with him. There are many moments of grace, especially when the two characters confront their unusual approaches to the powers of Art. Djaïdani's view of the French landscape is highly sensitive. What's less unexpected is his take on French society, the wanderings of racism and the tensions between generations, all of which slow down a film that is justly ambitious.
René MARX
French film by Rachid DJAÏDANI (2016), with Gérard DEPARDIEU, Sadek, Louise GRINBERG, Nicolas MARÉTHEU. 1h 35
