"ABOU LEILA" (2019)
Directed by Amin Sidi-Boumediène
Thala Films (Algeria) / In Vivo Films (France)
140 minutes / Psychological thriller
Casting: Lyes Salem, Slimane Benouari...
International sales: Films Boutique
French distributor: UFO Distribution
With the support of:
CNC - Cinémas du monde
Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Departement Charente-Maritime
Doha Film Institute
CADC
FDATIC
Institut français d'Alger
Michel Merkt
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Logline:
Algeria, 1994. Terrorism is raging since two years, in the North of the country, everyday bringing dead and horrors.
S. and Lotfi, two friends from childhood, travel through the desert looking for Abou Leila, a dangerous terrorist on the run. Their search seems absurd, given that the Sahara has not been affected by the wave of murders and bomb attacks that have been sweeping through the rest of the country. Lofti has only one priority : to keep S. as far from the capital as possible, knowing his friend is too fragile to face more bloodshed
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About Amin Sidi-Boumedine:
Amin Sidi-Boumédiène studied chemistry before enrolling in film school. He obtained a degree in film directing in 2005 from Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français in Paris, then moved on to work in various projects as assistant director. His first short movie produced in Algeria, « Tomorrow, Algiers ? », have been selected in many festivals all around the world. « Al Djazira », his second algerian short, was shot in July 2012 in Algiers and won the best arab film award at the Abu Dhabi film Festival 2012.
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Festival prizes:
Melies d’Argent – Neuchatel International Film Festival
Prix de la Critique – Festival Cinemed
Best Actor Award – Lyes Salem - JCC
Best film prize - Nuevas Olas section - Festival de Cine de Sevilla
Best debut feature film - IFFI Goa
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Festival selections:
Semaine de la Critique, Cannes 2019
Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival
Metropolis – Beirut
New Horizons Film Festival
Sarajevo Film Festival
Arabian Nights Film Festival
Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico
Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal
Carthage Film Festival
Cairo International Film Festival
Torino Film Festival
Marrakech International Film Festival
Calgary International Film Festival
Melbourne International Film Festival
Morelia International film festival
SANFIC
Hamburg FilmFest
Fantastic Fest
Reykjavik film festival
Französische Filmtage Tübingen
Denver Film Festival
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Taipei Golden Horse International Film Festival
Cork Film Festival
International Film Festival of India Goa
Brussels Mediterranean Film Festival
Tbilisi International Film Festival
Maskoon Fantastic Film Festival
