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PRODUCTION / FUNDING France

Sofia Djama’s A Quarter To Thursday In Algiers scoops an advance on receipts

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- The CNC will support the filmmaker’s second feature after Blessed, as well as works by Teddy Lussi-Modeste, Jean-Christophe Meurisse and Olivier Meys

Sofia Djama’s A Quarter To Thursday In Algiers scoops an advance on receipts
Director Sofia Djama

Four projects have been selected within the second 2022 session of the CNC’s second advance on receipts committee (for second and third feature films). Stealing focus among them is A Quarter To Thursday In Algiers, which will be the second feature film by Sofia Djama, who was revealed via Blessed [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
(bagging the Orizzonti Prize for Best Actress, courtesy of Lyna Khoudri, in Venice 2017, and nominated for the Best First Film Lumière in 2018). Earning itself the Best Project in Development Prize in El Gouna back in October, as well as being selected for the Red Sea Lodge programme, A Quarter to Thursday in Algiers recounts the misadventures of three friends: a young pregnant woman who wants an abortion in a country where terminations are illegal, an Algerian-Russian citizen who’s nostalgic for the USSR, and a cabaret singer.

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An advance on receipts is also winging its way to Pas de vague, which will be Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s third feature film after Jimmy Rivière [+see also:
trailer
interview: Teddy Lussi-Modeste
film profile
]
(2011) and The Price of Success [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Teddy Lussi-Modeste
film profile
]
(unveiled in Toronto in 2017 and subsequently screened in San Sebastian’s New Directors competition). The filmmaker co-wrote the screenplay for his new project in league with Audrey Diwan, while production is overseen by Kazak Productions.

The CNC will also throw its weight behind Les pistolets en plastique, which will be Jean-Christophe Meurisse’s third feature film after Apnée [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(treated to a Special Screening in Cannes’ Critics’ Week 2016) and Bloody Oranges [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean-Christophe Meurisse
film profile
]
(unveiled last year on the Croisette in an Official Selection Midnight Screening)

Standing equally tall among the lucky selectees is Life Ahead, the second fiction project by Belgium’s Olivier Meys, who was nominated for the Best Director and Best Screenplay Magritte trophies in 2019 via Bitter Flowers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Olivier Meys
film profile
]
. The story of his new project revolves around Jahia, a young Eritrean living in an asylum seekers’ centre in Belgium. With no prospects to speak of, Jahia’s fears for the future drive a wedge between her and the world and stop her from living her life. One day, she meets a young Moldavian woman called Nèta and is carried away by her crazy energy. Unfortunately, Nèta's family are ordered to leave the country and Nèta falls victim to Resignation syndrome, suddenly drifting into a deep sleep. Jahia will do anything it takes to rouse her and to avoid succumbing to her infectious despair… Selected to take part in Cinemart 2022, Life Ahead is produced by French firm Kidam and Belgian outfit Michigan Films.

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(Translated from French)

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