Grégory Lucilly's debut film,Marmaille, marks a milestone for Reunionese cinema with its screening in French cinemas. This immersive drama tells the story of Thomas, a 15-year-old teenager with a passion for breakdancing and a dream of moving to mainland France. But life takes a brutal turn when his mother puts him and his sister Audrey out on the street, leaving them with no bearings. Taken in by an unknown father, they face the challenges of rebuilding and acceptance in a foreign environment. With Reunionese actors such as Maxime Calicharane, Brillana Domitile Clain and Vincent Vermignon, the film pays tribute to Creole culture, the island's landscapes and its traditional music, maloya, inherited from the days of slavery. Grégory Lucilly tells a universal story of abandonment and fraternity, weaving a link between Reunion and mainland France.
Marmaille will hit cinema screens from December 4, 2024.
Synopsis: Thomas, a 15-year-old teenager from Reunion Island, wants nothing more than to win a breakdancing competition and leave for mainland France. But when his mother suddenly puts him and his sister Audrey out on the street, their world collapses. Placed with their unknown father and left to fend for themselves, they must overcome abandonment and rebuild their lives.
Marmaille will appeal to fans of family dramas and initiation stories, as well as to those interested in the diversity of voices and cultures in French-language cinema. Viewers with an attachment to themes of resilience,identity and fraternity should find this film a touching and authentic tale. Fans of films such as Ladj Ly's Les Misérables, which capture life in working-class neighborhoods and the struggles of young people to find their place, may be particularly drawn to Thomas and Audrey's story. Drawing on Reunionese culture and distinctive elements such as maloya and Creole, Marmaille offers a unique and original look at the challenges facing young people.
The film could also appeal to an audience curious to discover Réunion Island differently, through its landscapes and cultural values. By giving a voice to young Réunionese talent and celebrating the diversity of local ethnicities and traditions, Grégory Lucilly promises to build a bridge between the island's realities and those of mainland France, making this story profoundly universal.
Marmaille promises to be a film that is both intimate and universal, inviting us to discover Reunionese cinema in a new light. Through the eyes of endearing young heroes, Gregory Lucilly plunges us into a quest for resilience and hope, while celebrating the richness of Creole culture and traditions. This first Reunionese film to be released in mainland France could well mark the start of a new era for the island's productions.
This article is based on information available online; we have not yet viewed the film or series mentioned.
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