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Movie poster: Once Upon a Time in the Oued (2005)
🎬 Movie

Once Upon a Time in the Oued

2005 · 93 min Comedy
5.5 / 10 · TMDB

In 1988, Johnny Leclerc, the son of a Norman mother and an Alsatian father, lives in a suburban housing estate with his friends. He behaves like a Muslim, observes Ramadan and wears a djelaba. He's even convinced that his name is Abdelbachir and that he was born in a small village in the bled. When his friend Yacine gets into trouble with a local kaid and decides to return to Algeria for the vacations, he smuggles himself into the Sabri family's luggage to fulfill his dream and finally get to know his "roots". As soon as he arrived on the Algerian coast, Johnny felt right at home. But Yacine is opposed to his father, who wants to arrange his marriage.

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📋 Film Details

Original Title Il était une fois dans l'Oued
Year 2005
Country France
Genre Comedy
Director Djamel Bensalah
Runtime 93 min.
Rating TMDB: 5.5/10 (73 votes)

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

The film constructs its comedy on the gentle clash between sincere belief in one's own identity and the humorous gaps with reality. It relies on warm humor and a human story of self-discovery, skillfully sidestepping crude stereotypes.

What lingers after the credits is a light yet touching reminder that belonging is less about geography and more about where your heart feels at home. — MovieFinder Editorial

Director: Djamel Bensalah

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With a cup of sweet mint tea among friends, for a lighthearted and genuinely sweet comedy.

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