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FAHIM, THE LITTLE CHESS PRINCE

by Pierre-François Martin-Laval

synopsis

Forced to flee his native Bangladesh, eight year-old chess prodigy Fahim arrives in Paris with his father. Refused asylum, as illegal immigrants they spiral downwards into homelessness and desperation. By a stroke of luck, Fahim is introduced to one of France’s top chess coaches, Sylvain (real name: Xavier Parmentier), who tutors him and gives him a sense of purpose - his struggles on the chessboard mirroring both his victories and his crushing defeats in his battle for a normal life. Fahim then rises through local and national tournaments only to be crowned France’s Under-12 Chess Champion in 2012. The film tells the story of a child who learns to live without his mother and without his father, far from home, from his roots and his language. Fahim’s tale is not only a moving account of the grim realities that underlie a supposedly caring society, but also a heartwarming testimony to a father’s determination, the kindness of strangers, and one small boy’s courageous will to succeed.

international title: Fahim, the Little Chess Prince
original title: Fahim
country: France
sales agent: Elle Driver
year: 2019
genre: fiction
directed by: Pierre-François Martin-Laval
film run: 107'
release date: FR 16/10/2019, BE 16/10/2019, CH 16/10/2019, PT 24/10/2019, ES 25/10/2019, DE 7/11/2019, IT 5/12/2019, ES 13/03/2020
screenplay: Pierre-François Martin-Laval, Thibault Vanhulle, Philippe Elno
cast: Gérard Depardieu, Isabelle Nanty, Pierre-François Martin-Laval, Didier Flamand, Pierre Gommé, Emmanuel Ménard, Ahmed Assad, Lola Zidi-Rénier, Mizanur Rahaman, Alfredo Lorenzo
cinematography by: Régis Blondeau
film editing: Reynald Bertrand
art director: Franck Schwarz
costumes designer: Brigitte Calvet
music: Pascal Lengagne
producer: Patrick Godeau
production: Waiting for Cinéma, Wild Bunch Production, Alicéléo, France 3 Cinéma, CN8 Productions, Delta Cinéma, Fruits d'Hommes Productions
distributor: Wild Bunch Distribution, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment Belgique, JMH Distribution, Cinemundo, TriPictures, BIM Distribuzione

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