Exiles (Exils) (2004)

78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(3,501 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Tony Gatlif
Written By: Tony Gatlif
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: May 19, 2004 Limited
On DVD: Mar 28, 2006
Studio: Pyramide Distribution

Critic Reviews

Leslie Felperin, Variety
Overall, pic works well as a road movie, swinging and easy for the most part but gaining a certain gravitas in its later stretches.
John Terauds, Toronto Star
Through facial expression, gesture and deed, Gatlif manages to coax such a deep humanity out of his characters' situations that dialogue becomes superfluous.
Adele Weder, Globe and Mail
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.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
quite a trip
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
worth checking out for cultural illumination and for its striking musical score
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
A vibrant, luscious travelogue that will have you gladly surrendering to its offbeat rhythm. . . . a road movie stripped to its existential core.
Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies
The central performances, by Duris and Azabal, are as uneven as the journey they take.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
The primordial pleasures are at least a little less ephemeral with Gatlif around

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

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… More
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.
Leo L

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… More
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!
Dimitris S

Avoid one of the comments below,the film is original.If people still think Mamma Mias and Rents are the sole disposals of "entertainment",well they're wrong.Music comes from various backgrounds.Exils has a pair of most beloved protagonists and a dynamic beat.Of course… More
Avoid one of the comments below,the film is original.If people still think Mamma Mias and Rents are the sole disposals of "entertainment",well they're wrong.Music comes from various backgrounds.Exils has a pair of most beloved protagonists and a dynamic beat.Of course it's a music movie,road trip fused with sounds and wonders.Identity and nostalgia.Common themes and yet Gatlif likes what he accomplishes.He should absolutely enchant us but with better scripts next time.

Cast

Romain Duris
as Zano
Lubna Azabal
as Naima
Leila Makhlouf
as Leila

Habib Cheik
as Habib
Zouhir Gacem
as Said

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Exiles (Exils) (2004)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

Leo L

Dimitris S

Cast

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