Marseille, to the Moon and Back

When the protagonists in this coming-of-age film take over the role of director and interview each other from behind the camera, the situation quickly becomes clear: Rania will be starting high school after the summer break, but Samira will still be in middle school. They spin around on the playground until they’re dizzy and wander aimlessly in the outskirts of Marseille. Together they fantasize about the future, and how they could stay together. Maybe they should go and live on the moon. For one last summer, Rania and Samira enjoy the carefree bubble in which only they exist - although sometimes frustrations seep in from the outside world, particularly for Rania. But perhaps that’s because of Ramadan. Director Benjamin Chevallier asks the occasional question, but he mainly observes, revealing intimate moments that beautifully capture the girls’ friendship. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)