French-Algerian filmmaker Tony Gatlif wrote and directed this tale of a voyage of unexpected discoveries. Zano (Romain Duris) and Naima (Lubna Azabal) are a pair of footloose bohemian lovers living in Paris who decide to pull up roots and travel to Algeria, even though they don't know the language and are unfamiliar with the cultural traditions. Zano and Naima take the scenic route, traveling from town to town along the way by train, by bus or by foot, depending on their mood and financial
circumstances, and en route they encounter Leila (Leila Makhlouf) and Habib (Habib Cheik), an Algerian couple traveling to France. While amused by Zano and Naima's naiveté, Leila gives them a letter of introduction to her family, and after a long journey they eventually arrive in Algeria and are befriended by Leila's brother Said (Zouhir Gacem). With Said in tow, Zano and Naima explore the city and at once discover a land that fascinates them even as they realize just how far away from its culture they truly are. Exils was screened in competition at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Through facial expression, gesture and deed, Gatlif manages to coax such a deep humanity out of his characters' situations that dialogue becomes superfluous.
We don't get much in the way of witty dialogue or character development, but the choice shots of clammy skin, tousled hair, odd scars and bad weather evoke an engaging story just the same.
An unconventional - and therefore, seemingly realistic - "road movie" about finding one's roots, the Franco-Algerian experience is well documented by this film that is worth seeing for, at the very least, its depictions of Spain as the young couple makes its way "home". Edgy, and impossible to turn away from, and while
the filmmaker makes some questionable directing choices, the good far, far outweighs the bad.
An interesting movie that centralizes around the journey of a couple, Zano and Naima, who are trying to travel from Paris to Algeria. Plagued by childhood memories, Zano fondly remembers his family through his love of music. Naima tries to understand what the old country has meant to her father. Great cast- Romain
Duris, Lubna Azabal, Leila Makhlouf, and Habib Cheik. Worthy!
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