PRODUCTION / FUNDING France / Belgium / Algeria

Post-production resumes on Honey Cigar

26/05/2020 - Starring Zoé Adjani-Vallat, Amira Casar and Lyes Salem, the first feature by Kamir Ainouz is steered by Eliph Productions and Willow Films, with Best Friend Forever helming international sales

Zoé Adjani-Vallat in Honey Cigar

Developed with the support of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and shot last winter, Kamir Ainouz’s Honey Cigar is in the midst of resuming post-production following a halting of activities caused by the health crisis. Shining bright in the feature film’s cast are Zoé Adjani-Vallat (who made her big screen debut in Cerise [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2015), Amira Casar (recently enjoyed in the series Savages, as well as in At Eternity’s Gate [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Julian Schnabel
film profile] and Call Me by Your Name [+see also:
film review
trailer
Q&A: Luca Guadagnino
film profile]) and Lyes Salem (Abou Leila [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], The Man from Oran [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Written by Kamir Ainouz herself, the story centres around 17-year-old Selma who lives in a secular, Berber family in Neuilly-sur-Seine. When she meets the dashing, young Julien, she realises the extent to which the dictates of the patriarchy control her sexuality. As the balance of her family cracks and the terror of fundamentalism rears its head in her homeland, Selma decides to explore the power and dangers of her desire.

Produced by Christine Rouxel for Eliph Productions and by Marie-Castille Mention Schaar for Willow Films, Honey Cigar is co-produced by Belgian group Les Films du Fleuve (Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne) and by Algeria’s M.D. Cine and Les Productions du Ch’Timi. Pre-purchased by OCS, the feature film has also benefited from support from the Île-de-France region, the Beaumarchais Foundation and the CNC (via the Images de la Diversité fund). Photography is helmed by Jeanne Lapoirie (nominated for a César award in her category for 8 Women [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Michael Kohlhaas [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arnaud des Pallières
film profile] and BPM (Beats Per Minute) [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arnaud Valois
interview: Robin Campillo
film profile]). The movie’s release in France will be led by Paname Distribution, while international sales are in the hands of Best Friend Forever (with a promo reel planned for Cannes’ online Marché du Film at the end of June).