There is a second Frantz Fanon film coming, following Abdenour Zahzah’s “The True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr. Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956” (yes, that’s the official title), which made its world premiere at the 2024 Berlinale.
The second film, which I was first alerted to in 2023, is tentatively titled “Fanon,” and is directed by French-Guadeloupean filmmaker Jean Claude-Barny. It just made its world premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival (November 29 to December 7, 2024).
An Akoroko review of the film (and possibly an interview with the filmmaker) is coming for Premium subscribers.
Set primarily in 1953 Algeria during French colonial rule, the film chronicles Fanon’s tenure as head of the psychiatric hospital in Blida-Joinville, which was considered the pride of the Algerian school of psychiatry at the time. The story explores the clash between Fanon’s innovative methods and the traditional approaches of the hospital administration, set against the backdrop of the Algerian War of Independence.
The story also dives into Fanon’s personal life and his growing involvement with the National Liberation Front (FLN) during the War.
Relative newcomer Alexandre Bouyer stars as Fanon, with Belgian actress Déborah François playing Josie Fanon, Frantz’s wife and an activist in her own right who continued his legacy after his death.
The supporting cast includes established Stanislas Merhar, Mehdi Senoussi, Olivier Gourmet, Arthur Dupont, Salomé Partouche, Nicolas Buchoux, Salem Kali, and Sfaya M’Barki.
Here’s a first look…
