With Riverboom, photographer and director Claude Baechtold takes us on a unique journey through war-torn Afghanistan. This documentary, tinged with comedy, traces an unexpected road trip alongside two intrepid journalists, Paolo Woods and Serge Michel, one year after the September 11 attacks. A film that straddles the line between reportage and situation comedy. Claude Baechtold, filming with a video camera purchased locally, offers an atypical vision of the chaos of war, seen through the eyes of three foreigners a little lost in an explosive context.
Riverboom opens in cinemas on September 25, 2024.
Synopsis: Afghanistan, 2002. Three young reporters embark on a journey that will change their lives forever. Serge, a moralist journalist and workaholic, Paolo, a photographer as jovial as he is oblivious, and Claude, a Swiss typographer with a wimpy streak who wants to be a filmmaker.
In 2002, just after the tragic events of September 11, Claude Baechtold joined two adventurous reporters, Paolo Woods and Serge Michel, for a journey into the heart of war-tornAfghanistan. Equipped with a local video camera, Baechtold captures the moments of their journey, between real dangers and absurd situations. This reckless trio navigate through a territory ravaged by conflict, oscillating between moments of tension and unintentional comedy. Riverboom blends the urgency of war reporting with lighter moments, where the absurdity of the situations encountered in this dramatic context takes on an almost comic quality.
Riverboom will appeal not only to documentary fans, but also to those with a passion for atypical travel stories. The film will also appeal to those who appreciate works that mix elements of comedy with serious, real-life situations, in the vein of Wag the Dog or Good Morning, Vietnam. Riverboom 's strong point is its light-hearted approach to a complex reality, where humor often emerges from the absurdity of the situation. Those who enjoy offbeat tales, somewhere between adventure and reportage, will be won over by this unique perspective on a troubled historical period.
Claude Baechtold 's Riverboom is an atypical documentary at the crossroads of genres, where the seriousness of war meets the absurd. This journey through post-9/11 Afghanistan, alongside two daring reporters, promises to entertain while offering an original reflection on the profession of journalist in wartime. Coming to cinemas on September 25, 2024 for an extraordinary documentary adventure.
Which movies to see in theaters in September 2026?
All the cinema releases for September 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France: new titles, showtimes, and screening ideas. [Read more]
Portraits, investigations, historical narratives, society or music: discover the documentaries to watch in theaters right now and their upcoming releases. [Read more]
Comedy, horror, animation, drama or blockbuster: our picks of films to see in theaters right now, tailored to whatever you’re in the mood for. [Read more]
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Which movies to see in theaters in September 2026?
Documentaries to see in cinemas right now and coming soon
What movies to watch in theaters right now? Our picks
