Synopsis
For ten years, a filmmaker tries to make a film based on his grandfather’s memories of the Algerian War. Both a denial of history and a family taboo, the questions raised by the subject remain unanswered, leaving personal and collective memory shrouded in silence. The narrative delves into unspoken shame and the search for a hidden past, ultimately resolved through the making of the film.
A word from Tënk
Souvenir Souvenir delves into forgotten memories, past wounds, and the inner narratives of a country ravaged by war and colonialism. Bastien Dubois explores themes of oblivion, shame, and transmission in a visually unique style that blends realism and abstraction, creating a deeply immersive atmosphere. Using various styles of animation as his medium, the filmmaker transcends the boundaries of traditional documentary imagery, bringing buried truths to life through an intimate and emotional narrative.
Souvenir Souvenir pays tribute to those who manage to preserve their humanity under extreme circumstances while skillfully reminding us of our duty to remember. This reminder feels particularly urgent today, as colonialist ideologies continue to inflict harm in occupied Palestine. The film questions how trauma is passed down and how memory, however painful, serves as both a collective and personal force. Through its captivating visual storytelling and sensitive approach, Souvenir Souvenir offers a powerful testament to the invisible threads connecting generations—a moving film that resonates far beyond its specific context to touch the universality of human experience.
Ariane Roy-Poirier
General Manager and Artistic Director
Plein(s) Écran(s)
