Movie theater. “Their children after them”, a hymn to adolescence

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Beginning of the 90s of the last century. A lost valley in eastern France. Its inhabitants only exist through the activity of blast furnaces. These are in the process of closing… During this tragic time for adults, children continue their carefree lives.

Carefree trip

This is the case of Anthony, 14 years old. How to kill this stretching time without offering anything uplifting. On a hot afternoon, Anthony and his friend approach the nearby lake. They steal a canoe to go and see the bare-ass beach on the other side. This carefree trip will mark Anthony's life with a hot iron. Indeed, on a promontory they meet a group of young girls their age. Among them, Stéphanie. Love at first sight between “Steph” and Anthony was immediate. How to continue this beautiful meeting. A village festival seems to be ideal. To get there, Anthony “borrows” the literally sacred motorcycle of his father, a notorious alcoholic. When it was time to return home, no more motorbikes. Stolen! The drama can unfold. It takes place over ten years, ending in 1998 with the victory of the Blues at the football world championship. This is of course just an anecdote.

A casting of overwhelming sincerity

The main thing is elsewhere. In the physical and mental storm of this complicated age, a beautiful and cruel age at the same time. In the social and cultural conflict that is shaking this valley, the thief's dad is Moroccan and the revelation of the son's act is another tragedy for him. The main thing is also in this desperate search for a future, for an elsewhere where the grass will be greener in any case. The main thing is also in the casting of this film which is ultimately overwhelming in its sincerity and accuracy of tone. Paul Kircher here confirms his status as an artist with incredible potential and charisma that is no less so. Hacine, the motorcycle thief, is also one of the great rising stars: Sayyid El Alami. To be continued! Angelina Woreth (Stéphanie) does not give in to them in any way. Raphaël Quenard makes a short but explosive appearance. As for Gilles Lellouche and Ludivine Sagnier, their commitment is simply magnificent in this film which talks about adolescence in a brutal way, far from any generational hagiography. It's so much more true!

Robert PÉNAVAYRE

Their Children after them. Directors: Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma. With: Paul Kircher, Angelina Woreth, Sayyid El Alami… Duration: 2h16. Genre: drama

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