Abou Leila

Press Reviews

"
Amin Sidi-Boumédiène's first feature film is an uppercut. A staggering journey. And the dazzling revelation of an author, who ardently believes in cinema
Bande à part
Bande à part
Olivier Pélisson
"
A sharp sense of frame and space, as well as the symphony of eerie sounds that the soundtrack weaves together, contribute to the incredible intensity of these slips into the realm of dreams.
Le Monde
Le Monde
Mathieu Macheret
"
Exacerbated paranoia and murderous madness: a hunt in the desert as a metaphor for the Algerian civil war, in a first film of impressive skill.
Les Inrockuptibles
Les Inrockuptibles
Bruno Deruisseau
Picture from the film

Synopsis

Algeria, 1994. S. and Lotfi, two childhood friends, cross the desert in search of Abu Leila, a dangerous criminal. The quest seems absurd in the vastness of the Sahara. But S., whose mental health is wavering, is convinced that he will find Abu Leila. Lotfi, for his part, has only one idea in mind: to take S. away from the capital. It is by going deeper into the desert that they will confront their own violence.

Picture from the film

Selections & Awards

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Caméra d'or
2019
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Critics' Choice Award
2019
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Nouvelles Vagues Award
2019
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Gérard-Frot-Coutaz Award for Best First Film
2020
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Award for Best Actor for Lyes Salem
2019
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Best European Fantasy Film
2019
Amin
Sidi-Boumediene
Amin Sidi-Boumediene

About the Author

Background

Born in 1982, Amin Sidi-Boumédiène graduated in 2005 from CLCF in Paris with a degree in directing. His first short film, "Demain, Alger?" was selected in many festivals around the world. "The Island", his second short film, won the Best Film Award at the Abu Dhabi Festival. In 2014, he made his third short film "Serial K.", screened at the Béjaia Film Days. He has just completed his first feature film, "Abou Leila" shot in Algeria, selected at the 58th Critics' Week.

résidence dans laquelle ce projet a été développé :

Cover photo of this edition
LabMed 2015

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