THE (IN)FAMOUS YOUSSEF SALEM

AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL FOR 7 DAYS: Friday, November 3, 2023 @ 6:00am PDT → Friday, November 10 @ Noon PST

CATCH-UP SCREENING from the 22nd Sacramento French Film Festival (June 9-11, 2023).

“When a writer is born into a family, the family is finished…” Czeslaw Milosz.

Youssef Salem (popular comic actor Ramzy Bedia) is a 45-year-old writer specializing in obscure historical biographies that barely sell but make his dad (Abbes Zahmani) proud. When his first novel brings him overnight success, trouble begins. For better and mostly for worse, Youssef drew inspiration for the novel from his family, and now he must stop them from reading it or face the repercussions.

A series of hilarious twists and misunderstandings ensue as Youssef’s success keeps growing, thanks in part to his endearing publisher, delightfully portrayed by actress-director Noémie Lvovsky (How to Be a Good Wife – French Film Friday Series 2021, Invisibles – SFFF 2019).

A laugh-out-loud comedy rooted in the Algerian culture of its protagonists and director, The (In)famous Youssef Salem reflects on universal themes like family ties, generation gaps, lies, and literature, while telling the fabulous destiny of a son of Algerian immigrants being shortlisted for the Goncourt Prize, France’s most coveted annual literary award!

First-time director Baya Kasmi is a prolific and acclaimed screenwriter who often works in partnership with her husband, director-screenwriter Michel Leclerc (The Names of Love – SFFF 2011, César for Best Screenplay). It is together that they wrote her directorial debut.

Not Rated (all audience)

Original Title: Youssef Salem a du succès

Reviews

Propelled by a perfect cast led by Ramzy Bedia, this singular comedy is both funny, moving and, at times, poetic. Yoann Jenan - Télé Loisirs

… a hilarious film about fame, lies and the constraints we struggle with, a universal farce on how to invent oneself… an incredible tenderness. Sophie Grassin - L’Obs