Marmaille (2024) by Grégory Lucilly

Summary: “Marmaille” is a 2024 French drama film directed and written by Grégory Lucilly. The film tells the story of Thomas, a 15-year-old from Réunion Island with dreams of winning a breakdance competition and moving to mainland France. However, his life takes a drastic turn when his mother abruptly kicks him and his sister Audrey out of their home. They are placed with their unknown father and must learn to cope with abandonment and rebuild their lives. The film is notable for being the first feature film from Réunion Island to be widely released in mainland France and is primarily in Creole with French subtitles.   

Plot summary: Thomas, a teenager in Réunion, is passionate about breakdancing and dreams of leaving the island for mainland France. His aspirations are shattered when his mother suddenly evicts him and his older sister Audrey. They are placed in the care of social services, who then decide to place them with their father, a man they have never known and who has started a new family far away from them. The siblings must navigate this unfamiliar territory, confront the pain of abandonment, and find a way to rebuild their lives and their relationship with a father who is essentially a stranger. Audrey, a young mother herself, struggles with the weight of premature parenthood and the lack of a functional family model, potentially repeating flawed patterns. Thomas clings to his breakdancing dream as a way to express his rebellion and assert himself in a society that seems to have overlooked him.

Director’s Vision: Grégory Lucilly aimed to create a film that authentically portrays the reality of youth in Réunion, moving away from stereotypical folkloric representations of the island. He wanted to explore the poignant issue of child abandonment through the story of Thomas and Audrey. Lucilly chose to film primarily in Creole with French subtitles to emphasize the film’s cultural authenticity. He worked to avoid a miserabilist portrayal while ensuring the island’s landscapes didn’t overshadow the central human story. To slightly offset the realism, Lucilly opted for a colorful and luminous visual aesthetic, incorporating natural light and using anamorphic lenses to achieve a specific softness and texture. The dynamic energy of the young actors, Maxime Calicharane and Brillana Domitile Clain, heavily influenced the film’s visual approach, particularly in the breakdance sequences, which were filmed with close proximity to convey Thomas’s determination and distress. The screenplay was informed by Lucilly’s research within a child social services department, lending a strong sense of realism to the narrative.

• Authentic Representation of Réunion Island

• Powerful and Emotional Story

• Strong Performances from Young Leads

• Grégory Lucilly’s Direction

• Recognition at Film Festivals

Summary short: “Marmaille” is a poignant French drama about two siblings from Réunion Island who are abandoned by their mother and must navigate life with their unknown father, exploring themes of abandonment, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.

Awards and nominations (summary in words): “Marmaille” won the Jury Film Crush Award at the Love International Film Festival in Mons.

Critics reception (mention sites, add text, summary):

• Cineuropa: A review on Cineuropa praised the film as a realistic and human portrait that doesn’t exoticize Réunion Island but shows its darker sides while also revealing moments of light. It highlighted the strong performances of Maxime Calicharane and Brillana Domitile Clain and noted the film’s focus on the challenges faced by young people.

• SensCritique: User reviews on SensCritique are generally positive, with some calling it a moving and masterful first film and praising its originality in being in Creole. Some negative feedback mentioned it being a typical social drama that could be emotionally heavy.

• Réunion 1ère (Professional Critic): Mentioned as a source of professional critique, suggesting local positive reception.

• Jeune Cinéma (Professional Critic): Highlighted the “moving” performances of the two young actors.

• Info.re (Professional Critic): Described it as a 100% Réunion production embodying the island’s diversity and authenticity.

• Ozzak (Professional Critic): Called it more than just a film, but a celebration of Réunion culture and an exploration of youth challenges.

Summary: “Marmaille” has received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its authentic portrayal of Réunion Island, the strong performances of the young actors, and its poignant exploration of themes like abandonment and resilience. It is considered a significant film for Réunion cinema, being the first feature from the island to receive a wide release in mainland France.

Reviews about movie online (mention sites and what they are saying):

• SensCritique: As mentioned above, users on SensCritique have generally reacted positively to the film, highlighting its emotional impact and originality. Some found it to be a typical social drama, which could be a point of contention depending on viewer preferences.

Box office: As of March 18, 2025, in France, “Marmaille” has a lifetime gross of $69,815 according to Box Office Mojo.

Production: “Marmaille” is a French production by Cine Nomine, in co-production with Le Bureau and Wrap Productions, with support from Canal+, Ciné+, Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), Région Réunion, and participation from Fonds Images de la Diversité and Agence Nationale pour la Cohésion Sociale et l’Egalité des Chances (ACSE), and in association with Cinéaxe 5, Indéfilms 12, and Cinécap 7. The film marks Grégory Lucilly’s debut feature and was shot entirely on Réunion Island, featuring a local cast and crew.

Production companies (name, country):

• Cine Nomine (France)

• Le Bureau (France) (co-production)

• Wrap Productions (France) (co-production)

• Canal+ (France) (support)

• Ciné+ (France) (participation)

• Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) (France) (support)

• Fonds Images de la Diversité (France) (participation)

• Agence Nationale pour la Cohésion Sociale et l’Egalité des Chances (ACSE) (France) (participation)

• Région Réunion (France) (support)

• Cinéaxe 5 (France) (in association with)

• Indéfilms 12 (France) (in association with)

• Cinécap 7 (France) (in association with)

Sales companies (name, country, sentence): International sales for “Marmaille” are handled by The Bureau Sales.

Distribution companies (name, country, sentence): Pan Distribution (France) is responsible for the theatrical distribution of “Marmaille” in France, where it was released in 2024.

Release date on streaming: Information about a specific streaming release date for “Marmaille” was not readily available in the search results.

Theatrical release: “Marmaille” was released theatrically in France on December 4, 2024.

Why to recommend this movie:

• Offers a Rare Glimpse into the Culture and Reality of Réunion Island

• Tackles a Difficult but Important Social Issue with Sensitivity

• Features Strong and Authentic Performances from a Local Cast

• Marks a Significant Moment for Réunion Cinema

• Combines Social Realism with a Visually Engaging Style

• If You Are Interested in Socially Conscious Films That Explore Real-Life Issues

• For Those Looking to Discover Cinema from Underrepresented Regions

• If You Appreciate Strong Performances from Emerging Actors

• For Viewers Seeking a Story That is Both Heartbreaking and Ultimately Hopeful

• If You Enjoy Films That Offer a Different Cultural Perspective

What Movie Trend film is following: Social Realism in Regional Cinema. “Marmaille” aligns with a trend of films that focus on realistic portrayals of social issues within specific regional contexts, often highlighting the experiences of marginalized communities and offering insights into their unique cultural landscapes.

What Big Social Trend is following : Increased Representation and Visibility of Diverse Voices and Cultures in Cinema. The film’s release marks a step towards greater representation of filmmaking from French overseas territories, contributing to a broader trend of showcasing diverse voices and cultural experiences on the big screen.

Final Verdict: “Marmaille” is a significant and moving debut feature from Grégory Lucilly that offers an authentic and poignant look at the lives of two siblings in Réunion Island facing abandonment. With strong performances and a commitment to realism, the film is a compelling watch for those interested in social dramas and discovering cinema from diverse cultural backgrounds. Its recognition at film festivals and its status as the first Réunion feature to be widely released in mainland France underscore its importance and impact.

Recommendations for filmmakers:

• Embrace Cultural Specificity and Authentic Language: As demonstrated by “Marmaille,” grounding a story in a specific cultural context and utilizing the local language can create a richer and more authentic viewing experience that resonates with both local and international audiences.

• Conduct Thorough Research to Ensure Realism and Depth: Grégory Lucilly’s research within child social services highlights the importance of in-depth research to inform the narrative and create a realistic and impactful portrayal of complex social issues.

• Prioritize Casting Local Talent for Genuine and Believable Performances: Utilizing actors who have a personal connection to the culture and setting of the film can significantly enhance the authenticity and emotional resonance of the performances.

• Strive to Balance Difficult Themes with Messages of Hope and Resilience: While addressing challenging social issues, it’s important to also highlight the strength and resilience of the human spirit, offering audiences a sense of hope and the possibility of overcoming adversity.

• Actively Seek Opportunities for Regional and Culturally Specific Cinema to Reach Wider Audiences: Filmmakers from underrepresented regions should actively pursue distribution channels and engage with festivals and sales agents to ensure their stories are seen by a broader international audience.

Recommendations for movie industry:

• Increase Support and Funding for Cinema from Diverse Regions and Cultures: The success of films like “Marmaille” underscores the need for greater investment in and support for filmmaking from underrepresented regions and cultural backgrounds, allowing for a more diverse and inclusive cinematic landscape.

• Actively Seek Out and Promote Emerging Filmmakers from Diverse Backgrounds: The industry should actively look for and champion new voices and perspectives from various cultural backgrounds, providing them with the resources and opportunities to tell their stories.

• Facilitate Distribution and Exhibition for Culturally Specific and Independent Films: Distributors and exhibitors should make a conscious effort to bring films like “Marmaille” to wider audiences, recognizing the value and appeal of diverse storytelling.

• Encourage and Support the Use of Indigenous and Regional Languages in Filmmaking: The industry should embrace and support films that utilize languages other than the dominant ones, recognizing their cultural significance and the unique perspectives they offer.

• Continue to Champion and Support Socially Relevant and Thought-Provoking Narratives: Films that address important social issues, like “Marmaille,” play a vital role in fostering dialogue and raising awareness, and the industry should continue to support their production and distribution