17/04/2025 - The actor-director is switching styles and will present his new film – shot in Cameroon, produced by Why Not and sold by Goodfellas – in the Directors’ Fortnight

Actor-director Thomas Ngijol (© Georges Biard)

For France, it’s undeniably the biggest surprise of the selection (see the article) of the 57th Directors’ Fortnight (which will unspool from 14-22 May as an integral part of the 78th Cannes Film Festival): seeing Untamable, the fourth feature-length directorial effort by actor Thomas Ngijol, picked at such a lofty level. Hailing from the world of stand-up comedy and having so far made his mark in the film world with comedies (Back to Square One [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2011, Fastlife in 2014 and Black Snake, La légende du serpent noir [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2019), he has now changed tack and is dramatically switching tone with a film about a police investigation shot entirely in Cameroon and touted by Julien Rejl, the General Delegate of the Fortnight, as "a never-before-seen portrait of local society, of police violence, of family relations and of a certain image of the patriarchy".

Loosely adapted by Thomas Ngijol from the documentary A Murder in Abidjan (1999) by Mosco Boucault, the story is set in Yaoundé and follows superintendent Billong, who is investigating the killing of a police officer. In the streets, just like at home, he has trouble maintaining order. A man of principles and traditions, he is nearing his breaking point….

The cast includes the director himself, Danilo Melande, Bienvenu Roland Mvoe and Thérèse Ngono. Supporting characters are played by Ariane Ntomba, Junior Bessala, Dimitri Amougou, Christol le Prince Djomo and Terrence Samba Amougou.

Produced by Pascal Caucheteux for Why Not Productions and by Chronic (the director’s own company), Untamable benefited from the plentiful experience of Patrick Blossier (thrice-nominated for the César Award in his category) as the DoP, while the score has been composed by Dany Synthé and Isko. The French theatrical release is slated for 11 June, courtesy of Pan Distribution, and the international sales are handled by Goodfellas.

(Translated from French)