''Exiles'' is a 2004 French film by

Tony Gatlif Tony Gatlif (born as Michel Dahmani on 10 September 1948 in Algiers) is a French film director of Romani ethnicity who also works as a screenwriter, composer, actor, and producer. Personal Gatlif was born in Algeria of Pied noir ancestry. A ...

. The film follows two young bohemians, Zano and Naima. After having sex, the two spontaneously decide that they will travel to

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

, where Naima's parents come from, and where Zano's (

Romain Duris Romain Duris (; born 28 May 1974) is a French actor. He is known for his role in Cédric Klapisch's ''Spanish Apartment'' trilogy, which consists of ''L'Auberge Espagnole'' (2002), '' Russian Dolls'' (2005), and ''Chinese Puzzle'' (2013). He also ...

) ''

pied-noir The ''Pieds-Noirs'' (; ; ''Pied-Noir''), are the people of French people, French and other White Africans of European ancestry, European descent who were born in Algeria during the French Algeria, period of French rule from 1830 to 1962; the v ...

'' parents were once exiled. Their adventurous journey to Algiers is full of character exploration, relationship hiccups and imagery. The film was also a homecoming for Gatlif himself, seeing him return to Algeria 43 years after he left.

Plot

The viewer is not intended to like nor dislike either character. Zano is meant to be brooding and profound to the point of being sulky, and world-hating and Naima wildly passionate to the point of appearing wanton and unstable; and both far too self-absorbed to care about either one or the other. The pair travel from

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, down through

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

toward

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

but get lost many times along the way. They work as fruit pickers for a while, allowing for a naughty sex scene in the orchard.

Cast and characters

: Zano * Lubna Azabal : Naima * Leila Makhlouf : Leila * Habib Cheik : Habib * Zouhir Gacem : Said

Awards

Gatlif won the award for

Best Director Best Director is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards. It may refer to: Film awards * AACTA Award for Best Direction * Academy Award for Best Director * BA ...

at the

2004 Cannes Film Festival The 57th Cannes Film Festival started on 12 and ran until 23 May 2004 in film, 2004. The Palme d'Or went to the United States, American film ''Fahrenheit 9/11'' by Michael Moore. The festival opened with ''Bad Education (2004 film), La mala educa ...

Music

The film features original music by Tony Gatlif and vocals by

Rona Hartner Rona Hartner (born 9 March 1973, Bucharest Bucharest ( , ; ro, București ) is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country, on the bank ...

, who also performed in Gatlif's movie

Gadjo dilo ''The Crazy Stranger'' (original title: ''Gadjo dilo'' – Romanes for ''"Crazy Gadjo"'')The Romanian title of the film is ''Străinul nebun'', "The Crazy Foreigner". In a version subtitled in English by Heidi Wood, TVS Titra Film, offered by ...

References

External links

* 2000s Spanish-language films 2004 films French road movies 2000s road movies Films directed by Tony Gatlif Films shot in Algeria Films shot in Almería 2000s French films {{2000s-France-film-stub