The Marchers

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Director Nabil Ben Yadir in person! North American premiere

(La marche) Nabil Ben Yadir’s rousing sophomore feature reconstructs a decisive event in the history of French racial politics: a Mitterrand-era demonstration in which nine people marched 930 miles for equality and against racism from Marseilles to Paris, where they were met by more than 100,000 supporters. Compelled to undertake their cross-country trek when Mohamed (Tewfik Jallab) and Hassan (Jamel Debbouze) are victimized by the police, the band of protestors—inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi—have their resolve tested, but are obliged to soldier on when a Maghrebi teenager is brutally murdered and as they encounter ever more prejudice en route. THE MARCHERS is a monument to the courage of a handful of activists as well as an edifying account of how a small group can bring about enormous shifts in the national consciousness.

Additional screening Mar 14 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Part of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema

• Country France/Belgium
• Language In French and Arabic with English subtitles
• Running Time 120 minutes
• Director Nabil Ben Yadir

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