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The Animal Kingdom

Le règne animal

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North American Premiere

In a world where mysterious mutations are gradually evolving humans into animal hybrids in an unpredictable and frightening way, a father tries to protect his 16 year old son who is starting to acquire beastly characteristics. Fantastical and fascinating, The Animal Kingdom insightfully explores otherness, pandemic, and human survival within the context of family bonds.

This French sci-fi drama is inventive and innovative, and has as its heart a beating human core. Paul Kircher is remarkable as the young Émile, while Romain Duris packs a sensitive punch as the sympathetic father François. The film is a thrilling combination of body horror, dystopian suspense, and family drama. Directed by Thomas Cailley (Love at First Sight), and winner of the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes.

 

Un Certain Regard Award, Cannes 2023

 

The director is willing to risk the ridiculous en route to the emotional truths he seeks. Stumble even for a moment, and the whole movie could feel silly, which is what makes the fact that it works all the more remarkable.
Peter Debruge, Variety

 

Series Media Partner

  

Director
Cast

Romain Duris, Paul Kircher, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Tom Mercier, Billie Blain

Credits
Country of Origin

France

Year

2023

Series

Altered States

Language

In French with English subtitles

Film Contact
19+
130 min
Action & Suspense Drama Horror & Sci-Fi

Book Tickets

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Credits

Producer

Pierre Guyard

Screenwriter

Thomas Cailley, Pauline Munier

Cinematography

David Cailley

Editor

Lilian Corbeille

Original Music

Andrea Laszlo De Simone

Director

Thomas Cailley headshot

Thomas Cailley

After studying at La Femis in the screenplay department, Thomas Cailley directed Paris Shanghai (2011), a short film that won awards at numerous festivals. His first feature film, Love at First Fight, was a public success. Presented and awarded at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes in 2014, it received three Césars the following year, including Best First Film. Directed for Arte, his first series AD VITAM (6×52) was selected at the Toronto International Film Festival and elected best French series of the year at Series Mania in 2018. The Animal Kingdom, presented in the Official Selection at the opening night of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival (2023) is his second feature film as a director.

Filmography: Animal Kingdom (2023); Love at first Fight (2014); Paris Shanghai (2011)

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