GRIGRIS

Showings

Roxie Theatre Sun, Feb 9, 2014 7:00 PM
New Parkway Tue, Feb 18, 2014 9:15 PM
Film Info
Director:Mahat-Saleh Haroun
Film Category:Narrative
Running Time:101
Country:Chad
France
Year of Release:2013

Description

A constant to-and-fro of aspiration and adversity...”
- Shaun Munro, Film School Rejects

Chad’s official submission to the 2014 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Despite a paralyzed leg, 25-year-old Grigris has hopes of becoming a professional dancer, making some extra cash putting his killer moves to good use on the dance floor of his local club every weekend. His dreams are tested when his step-father falls critically ill and he’s forced to risk his future by smuggling oil to pay the hospital bills. When he befriends Mimi, a beautiful but damaged prostitute, the two will try to start a new life together. But as bad decisions begin to catch up with them, they’ll have to run for their lives in Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s award-winning Grigris.

Souleymane Démé (Grigris) was discovered in his native country of Burkina Faso (West Africa) when director Haroun happened upon a performance where Souleymane was dancing. He is a major part of the inspiration of the film’s story since the director knew he wanted Souleymane to be his narrative’s hero.

This is Démé’s debut film role. Anaïs Monory (Mimi) career has primarily been as a successful French model for the modeling agency IMG. Grigri is her first film role. Official selection: Cannes Film Festival, Karlovy Vary FF, Vancouver Int.’l FF, and London FF.

Winner of the Vulcain Prize for Technical Artistry at the Cannes Film Festival for “showing remarkable finesse and humility, with the sole intention of serving the film, in conditions we imagine were very difficult.”
-Jeff M. Giordano