A cinematic journey through teenage heartache and working-class struggles
Introduction to the Boukherma brothers’ latest film
Barely a decade out of film school, the French twins Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma are set to make a significant impact on the international stage with their fourth feature, “And Their Children After Them”. This film, which will premiere in competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival, is adapted from a literary sensation that won France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt. The story delves into teenage heartache and working-class struggles, transforming ordinary conflicts into a vast, cinematic experience.
From book to screen: The adaptation process
The Boukherma brothers were inspired to adapt the book after actor-filmmaker Gilles Lellouche handed them a copy over lunch two years ago. “We wanted to turn a story made up of fairly ordinary, small conflicts into something vast and cinematic,” says Zoran Boukherma. The original author, Nicolas Mathieu, recognized that a small event could lead to an entire family’s downfall, a theme the Boukherma brothers aimed to capture on screen.
A story spanning four summers
The film follows Anthony, played by Paul Kircher, as he matures from a gangly dreamer in 1992 to a self-assured young man on the eve of France’s World Cup victory in 1998. His journey is filled with yearning and strife, from an almost-unrequited romantic obsession with the affluent Steph (Angelina Woreth) to a rivalry with the Moroccan-born Hacine (Sayyid El Alami) that grows more violent over time.
A departure from social realism
While the film does not sugarcoat the tough social setting, it veers away from the social-realist approach common to politically minded festival fare. “The book is about all of France,” says Ludovic Boukherma. “So the film needed to be equally accessible. We wanted to move away from naturalism and went for something closer to New Hollywood.” This approach aimed to make the film more universal and accessible to a broader audience.
Personal reflections and connections
The Boukherma brothers, who grew up in a small rural town in Southwestern France, found the book resonated with their own adolescence. “The summer boredom, the working-class milieu, the love for an elusive girl – that all could have come from our lives,” says Zoran. This personal connection allowed them to create a film that feels both intimate and expansive.
The cast and their performances
Paul Kircher, a rising star, brings vulnerability to the character of Anthony. Kircher worked with a choreographer to portray Anthony from the age of 14 to 20, exuding a “wobbly” quality that makes his character touching. The filmmakers took liberties with Anthony’s father, Patrick, played by Lellouche, who struggles with alcoholism. “We thought he might be violent, but mostly towards himself,” explains Zoran. “His alcoholism tells us that he’s a broken person, not someone who hurts others.”
The soundtrack: A classic rock mixtape
The film’s classic-rock soundtrack underscores its universal appeal. While needle drops from Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bruce Springsteen might cost a pretty penny, the filmmakers had “carte-blanche” when assembling the most period-appropriate soundtrack. However, they could not secure “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, as the band does not sell their rights.
Creating emotion through music
The filmmakers choreographed whole sequences to the classic rock playing live on set, pushing the actors to perform in tune. “Doing so created an emotion that simply wouldn’t have been there without the music,” says Zoran. “It created something real.”
Final thoughts
“And Their Children After Them” promises to be a powerful coming-of-age story that captures the operatic emotions and chart-topping tunes of teenage heartache and working-class struggles. With its universal themes and personal connections, the Boukherma brothers have created a film that is both intimate and expansive, offering a cinematic experience that resonates with audiences worldwide.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit And Their Children After Them.
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