World Cinema
(2009 Algeria / UK / France 87 MIN 35mm)
Directors: Rachid Bouchareb
Screenwriters: Rachid Bouchareb, Zoé Galeron, Olivier Lorelle
Producers: Rachid Bouchareb, Jean Bréhat, Mattieu de Braconier, Bertrand Faivre
Director of Photography: Jérôme Alméras
Editor: Yannick Kergoat
Music: Armand Amar
Cast: Brenda Blethyn, Sotigui Kouyaté
On July 7, 2005, four Muslim assassins, traveling on London's public transport during morning rush hour, activate a series of bombs. They kill 56 people and injure many others on three underground trains and one double-decker bus. Rachid Bouchareb's LONDON RIVER tells the emotional story of an unlikely friendship that develops between Mrs. Sommers (Brenda Blethyn) a prejudiced Christian mother, and Ousmane, a Muslim father (Sotigui Kouyaté, 2009 Berlin Silver Bear winner as best actor), who search for their children following the attacks. Though they differ in religious beliefs and cultural background, Ousmane and Mrs. Sommers share the common hope of finding their children alive. When they arrive in the British capital, they discover truths about their children that stun them.
Rachid Bouchareb
Born in Paris, Bouchareb's films include BATON ROUGE (1985) and CHEB (1991), winner of a Cannes award. POUSSIERES DE VIE (1995) and INDIGENES each received an Academy Award nomination for best foreign film. He also has produced the works of Bruno Dumont, including HADEWIJCH, playing in this year's festival.
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