Andalucia (2007)

Director:

Alain Gomis

Writers:

Alain Gomis (writer)
Marc Wels (contributing writer)

Release Date:

5 March 2008 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Samir Guesmi	...	Yacine
Delphine Zingg	...	Elle
Djolof Mbengue	...	Djibril
Bass Dhem	...	Moussa
Axel Bogousslavsky	...	Vincent
Marc Martínez	...	Filipo
Xavier Serrat	...	JB
Irene Montalà	...	Dounia
Jany Gastaldi	...	Jany
Ali Mokrani	...	Le père
Sarah Marshall	...	Le Mannequin
Adel Bencherif	...	Farid
Abdelhafid Metalsi	...	Amar
Salima Boutebal	...	Salima
Marc Planceon	...	Homme Scooter

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Orléans, Loiret, France

Company:

Mille et Une Productions

Too many clichés, not enough heart.

I saw an advance screening of this film and I was literally bored to tears. I haven't seen Alain Gomis' previous works, but that one is a real mess.

This is the story of Yacine, a young social worker trying to leave his past, his low-life friends and his family behind him. He finds a job at a soup kitchen and soon the audience is drifting in his stream of consciousness from a one-night-stand to another, his obsession with a female model, his quest for his roots and odd encounters with homeless folks.

Except for the use of the music, a decent cinematography and a few refreshing funny parts, this film totally misses the mark by awkwardly blending *every single cliché* you could expect from a French independent movie (not only French, as the director quotes - or knocks off - Spike Lee's signature "floating shot"). Between "social realism" and fantasizing, professional actors and "real people" (the latter acting far better than the former - go figure) the movie reeks as much of amateurism and demagogy as it lacks authenticity and heart.

For instance: just as you were thinking the director spared us the sexual identity crisis (the most outrageously unoriginal and overblown cliché of the genre) the main character kisses a guy for no apparent reason. But that's after he tried to beat him up. And lectured him about his origins, his job, his looks...

Of course, the unsympathetic nature of about every character doesn't help. If handled correctly it could be a breeze of fresh air and a clever change from the always nice characters we're accustomed to. But in the end it's not the case. Speaking of which, the ending is so silly it makes Hollywood endings look bold in comparison.

You may give it a try, but at your own risks.