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Feature film — 2011

The First Man (2011)

6.51h 41mDrama

Based on a novel that Albert Camus was working on when he died, we follow Jacques Comery as he travels back to Algeria in 1957, a place full of childhood memories. The country is split between those wanting to remain a part of France, and those demanding independence. Reminiscences of his mother, his stern grandmother and a young Arab boy come flooding back.

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A high-signal pick with 42 votes.

Laïth Média / Soudaine Compagnie / Maison de Cinema / France 3 Cinéma / Cattleya / RAI Cinema

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Director: Gianni Amelio

On screen

Cast & crew

Jacques Gamblin as Jacques Cormery

Jacques Gamblin

Jacques Cormery

Maya Sansa as Catherine Cormery (1924)

Maya Sansa

Catherine Cormery (1924)

Catherine Sola as Catherine Cormery (1957)

Catherine Sola

Catherine Cormery (1957)

Denis Podalydès as Professor Bernard

Denis Podalydès

Professor Bernard

U

Ulla Baugué

Grandma

Nicolas Giraud as Uncle Étienne (1924)

Nicolas Giraud

Uncle Étienne (1924)

N

Nino Jouglet

Jacques as a child

A

Abdelkarim Benhabouccha

Hamoud

H

Hachemi Abdelmalek

Aziz

D

Djamel Hadj Saïd

Hamoud as a child

Jean-Paul Bonnaire as Uncle Étienne (1957)

Jean-Paul Bonnaire

Uncle Étienne (1957)

Jean-François Stévenin as Farmer

Jean-François Stévenin

Farmer