Exils

Exils is a 2004 Franco-Japanese co-production directed by Algerian-born French filmmaker Tony Gatlif. Blending drama, adventure and musical elements within a road-movie narrative, the film was co-written by Gatlif and Lubna Azabal and features dialogue in French, Spanish, Romani and Arabic.

The story follows two young bohemians living in Paris, Zano and Naima, who impulsively decide to travel to Algeria to rediscover their roots. Their journey south toward the land of Naima's family — and the place where Zano's pied-noir parents were once exiled — becomes an odyssey filled with music, encounters and self-discovery. The film also mirrors Gatlif's own return to Algeria 43 years after leaving it.

Romain Duris and Lubna Azabal star in the leading roles. Gatlif received the Best Director award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival for this film.