MIGRANTS Emilie Frèche gives Benjamin Lavernhe the role of an ordinary man faced with the hardships suffered by exiles in “Les Engagés”, in theaters this Wednesday
Youssouf Gueye and Benjamin Lavernhe”Les Engagés” by Emilie Frèche — Tandem Films
- Benjamin Lavernhe slips into the shoes of a peaceful physiotherapist who overthrows a migrant on a mountain road.
- “Les Engagés” is inspired by a true story to call for more generosity and solidarity towards migrants.
In 2018, activists dubbed “Brian”s 7”on” have been condemned by justice for having facilitated the entry into France of migrants after a demonstration in the Italian border. They will be released in 2021. The Committed d’Emilie Frèche evokes these courageous women and men by describing the journey of a fictional character played by Benjamin Lavernhe whose life changes overnight when he accidentally bumps into a young exile. (Youssouf Gueye).
Shouldered his wife (Julia Piaton) and the director of a shelter (Catherine Hiegel), this uneventful physiotherapist will discover that of migrants and take their side. “This character is the heir to the Righteous of yesterday, says director Emilie Frèche. He puts his morality above the laws which he considers unjust.” His realization will be painful, but worthy.
A generosity devoid of naïveté
For her first production, the co-screenwriter of Ciel attendra(2016) by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar is less interested in the migrants themselves than in the reactions they elicit. “Solidarity is criminalized in France, while the word “fraternity” is written in our Republican motto, she insists. This makes me very angry.” Emilie Frèche advocates civil disobedience, which is all the more important to her. heart that his Jewish grandparents owed their greeting to people who gave them false papers during the Second World War.
This fury galvanizedLes Engagés; when the teenager saved at the beginning of the film suddenly disappears causing an emotional quake in the determined hero; to find it. In superb mountain scenery, often tragic destinies intertwine leading to a necessary reflection on our humanity; and on the world we want to build. This work devoid of naïveté received the audience award at the St-Jean-de-Luz festival.