Exiles (Exils) France

Winner of the Best Director prize at Cannes, Exiles is MIFF regular Tony Gatlif's (Swing, MIFF 2002) latest intoxicating, music fuelled, and most personal cinematic delight.

'Exiles is a terrific journey of self-discovery, a return to roots and a venture into the soul. This magnificent film is highlighted by a sensuous lead performance from Lubna Azabal and is propelled by a rousing, percussive musical score.' -The Hollywood Reporter

One day Zano (Romain Duris) suggests a crazy idea to his lover Naïma (Lubna Azabal): travel across France and Spain down to Algeria and discover the land their parents had to flee decades ago. Lost in the perils of immigration these two children of the diaspora defiantly take to the road with music as their only belonging. Seduced by freedom, they let Andalucia's vibrant sensuality engulf them'before they make their minds up to cross the Mediterranean. From one meeting to another, a techno beat to a flamenco rhythm, Zano and Naïma reconstruct in reverse the path of the exile.

'The film circles the sensuality of bodies. Bodies that sweat, are tense or relaxed, that tell their own stories through skin and scars.' -Tony Gatlif

D/S Tony Gatlif P Laurent Dusothoit WS Flach Pyramide International L French w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2004/105mins

Tony Gatlif was born in Algiers, Algeria in 1948. Films include: Latcho Drom (1993), Gadjo Dilo (MIFF 1998), Vengo (MIFF 2001).