Bâton Rouge
Rachid Bouchareb
Three twenty-year-old unemployed men dream of America. They imagine and fantasise about a continent where everything is possible. In order to make their dream of upward mobility a reality, they cross the Atlantic and make it all the way to Bâton Rouge in Louisianna. There, they are confronted with a very different reality...
With : Jacques Penot, Pierre-Loup Rajot, Hammou Graïa, Elaine Foster
Screenplay : Rachid Bouchareb, Jean-Pierre Ronssin
Image : Jimmy Glasberg (France) et Pierre Dupouey (USA)
Editing : Guy Lecorne, assisté de Laurence Gambin
Music : John Faure
Screenplay : Rachid Bouchareb, Jean-Pierre Ronssin
Image : Jimmy Glasberg (France) et Pierre Dupouey (USA)
Editing : Guy Lecorne, assisté de Laurence Gambin
Music : John Faure
Production : Lyric International, TF1 Films Productions
Distribution: Connaissance du Cinéma
Distribution: Connaissance du Cinéma
"Second generation Algerians no longer live off the heritage of the first generation's emigration the way it was always shown in films: forever on stand by, in misery and acceptance" (R. Bouchareb). "In his first film as in those that came after, Rachid Bouchareb avoids the label of emigrant filmmaker. Bâton rouge is an optimistic fairytale that, despite the uncertain situation of its characters, bathes in an atmosphere of indestructible hope. Rather than sordid realism, this itinerant adventure is filled with humour. Moving on despite the inevitable disappointments, the three protagonists have a tenacious willpower to live out their dreams. Though the director holds no illusions, the film's optimism is inseparable from his personality. He knows how to create a feeling of warmth, a feeling of confidence in man" (J. Wagner).