A Tale of Love and Desire

Director: Leyla Bouzid
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Screened at over 30 festivals in nearly 20 countries, winning four awards
Commercially released in Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, and the UAE
The film is available on Netflix
Selected at Cannes’ International Critics’ Week
Winner of two prestigious awards at the Angoulême Film Festival
Helmed by Leyla Bouzid, who is known for her award-winning films
Received support from Centre National du Cinéma et de L'Image Animée (CNC)
Challenges the clichés of Arab culture
The film was featured in the official competition of the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) in Tunisia and was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
A Tale of Love and Desire Poster
2021/ France - Tunisia - Algeria103 min/ Drama
Original Title
Une Histoire D'amour Et De Desir
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SYNOPSIS
Ahmed – a French teenager of Algerian origin – meets Farah, a young Tunisian girl, and falls head over heels in love with her. After discovering a collection of sensual and erotic Arab literature, Ahmed tries to resist his desire towards Farah.
CAST
Sami Outalbali
Zbeida Belhajamor
Samir Elhakim
Diong-Kéba Tacu
Aurélia Petit
CREW
Screenwriter: Laila Bouzaid
DOP: Sébastien Goepfert
Editor: Lilian Corbeille
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Production Company(ies)
Blue Monday Productions
Pyramide International
Producer(s)
Sandra da Fonseca
film festivals
Cannes Film Festival - International Critics' Week, France
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canada
Angoulême Film Festival, France
Zurich Film Festival, Switzerland
BFI London Film Festival, UK
Busan International Film Festival, South Korea
Sydney Film Festival, Australia
Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece
Cinemania Film Festival, Canada
Miami Film Festival Gems, USA
MedFilm Festival, Italy
Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt
Carthage Film Festival (JCC), Tunisia
Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain
César Awards, France
Göteborg Film Festival, Sweden
Lumiere Awards, France
Tuebingen French Film Festival, Germany
Filmfest Hamburg, Germany
Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
Schlingel Youth Film Festival, Germany
Colcoa French Film Festival, USA
Festival Varilux de Cinema Français, Brazil
Festival Film Franco Arab, UAE
Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada
Semana del Cine de Peru
Panama International Film Festival, USA
Philadelphia International Film Festival, USA
French Film Festival, UK
Kerala International Film Festival, India
Seattle International Film Festival, USA
Fest-New Directors/ New Films, Portugal
Cleveland International Film Festival, USA
film awards
Valois de diamant du meilleur film at Angoulême Film Festival, France
Prix d’interprétation masculine at Angoulême Film Festival, France
Special Jury Prize for Best 1st and 2nd Feature at MedFilm Festival, Italy
Bronze award at Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
Reviews

Lovia Gyarkye - Hollywood Reporter 

Lee Marshall - Screen Daily

Fabien Lemercier - Cineuropa

Amber Wilkinson - Eye for Film 

Sofia Andrade - The Harvard Crimson

Quotes
“It’s an edifying and introspective film, with something valuable to say about embracing our most carnal impulses without shame.”
Lovia Gyarkye - The Hollywood Reporter

“Warm, passionate, and sexy in a well-read kind of way.”
Lee Marshall - Screen Daily

“Carried by a duo of actors who are very well cast and full of character, the film hides under its appearances as a classical coming-of-age story, a great originality, and several levels of social readings, at the intersection of instinct and reflection, repression and liberation.” Fabien Lemercier - Cineuropa

"A Tale of Love and Desire is a film that celebrates the joy and fears associated with youthful lust, while exploring the internal cultural conflict, without making it feel tacky or like a diatribe.”
Amber Wilkinson - Eye for Film

“[The movie] not only excels at what it sets out to do, but also leaves its audience rapt and aching for more.”
Sofia Andrade - The Harvard Crimson
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