''Always Brando'' is a 2011 film directed by Tunisian director

Ridha Behi Ridha Behi is a Tunisian director and producer. He is known for The Magic Box and Always Brando (2011). Career Ridha Behi studied sociology and obtained a master's degree in 1973 at the Paris Nanterre University and a PhD at the Ecole Prat ...

. Originally titled ''Brando and Brando'', it was set to star

Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academ ...

and

Christian Erickson Christian Erickson is an American actor based in Paris, France. He is known for his role as La Trémoille in '' The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc'' (1999), as General Kormarov in the film adaption of ''Hitman'' and as Lance Boyle, the TV ...

until Brando's death. The film premiered at 2011 Toronto International Film Festival then Abu Dhabi Film Festival where producers

Ziad Hamzeh Ziad (also transliterated as Ziyad, Zyad, Zeyad, or Zijad ar, زياد) is an Arabic given name and surname. Given name Actors * Zeyad Errafae'ie, Syrian television actor and voice actor Athletes * Zeyad Abdulrazak, Kuwaiti hurdler * Zeyad ...

and Ridha Behi received the Black Pearl award for best producers.

Plot

A story of innocence lost, of love abandoned and of dreams shattered as a young Tunisian look alike to Marlon Brando on a quest to reach the impossible dream in making it big in Hollywood.

Cast

* Anis Raach as Anis *

Souhir Ben Amara Souhir Ben Amara ( ar, سهير بن عمارة; born 27 November 1985) is a Tunisian actress. Biography The daughter of a diplomat, she lived in Paris until the age of six before moving to Tunisia. Passionate about art from her youth, it was at ...

as Zina *

as himself (archive footage) *

* Ridha Behi *

English Narration

Background

The project was on hold due to the star's death but the script has been reworked to continue the project. Filming began in 2010 with the film due for release in 2011. Originally, the project was announced at the 2004

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...

as a project starring

and originally to be titled ''Brando and Brando'', with Brando portraying himself. Behi initially had difficulties approaching Brando and getting him to sign onto the project, with their initial meeting lasting over 5 hours. Brando eventually threw himself into the project, working with Behi on the script and making "significant changes" to "a story of broken spirits". Brando was quoted as saying of the script: "I've found it very deeply affecting." Up to a week before his death, Brando was working on the script in anticipation of a July/August 2004 start date, in

Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...

and

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. Production was suspended in July 2004 following Brando's death, at which time Behi stated that would continue the film as an homage to Brando.

Production

Production resumed two years later under the new title of ''Always Brando''. The original script called for the protagonist to come face to face with Brando, but following Brando's death, and while still embodying this story, the film will now chronicle Behi's own problems in making the movie, and will include footage of Brando that Behi shot before Brando's death, becoming part fiction and part documentary.

References

"Brando to star as himself in film"

BBC News BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world. The department is the world's largest broadca ...

, May 19, 2004. "Helmer revives 'Brando' project"
Nicole Laporte, ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'', May 25, 2006. "Ridha Behi: On getting the last words of a legend"
Geoffrey Macnab,

The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...

, June 16, 2006. "Brando's final film back on track"

, May 25, 2006

External links

* {{IMDb title, 1999828, Always Brando 2011 films 2010s French-language films 2010s English-language films Arabic-language films Tunisian drama films 2011 biographical drama films French biographical drama films Biographical films about actors French independent films Cultural depictions of Marlon Brando 2011 multilingual films French multilingual films 2010s French films