Alain Raoust

Alain Raoust (Nice, 1966) became an assistant director after studying at university. At the same time, he dedicated himself to experimental cinema, with films distributed by La Paris-Film-Coop, Light Cone, and a group of young filmmakers called Molokino. From this and inspired by Philippe Garrel’s early films, his short films emerged: “L’Hiver Encore” (1989), “La Fosse Commune” (1990), and a feature film: “Attendre le Navire” (1992), starring Pierre Clementi, Benoît Régent, and Pascal Greggory. This last film, formally unique, remains unreleased in cinemas.

In 1994, he returned to a more traditional language, directing a short film titled “Muette, est la Girouette,” an open letter to Florence Rey after her arrest. He then made another short film: “La vie Sauve” (1997 – Grand Prix at the Côté Court Festival in Pantin). With refined mise-en-scène, the film tells the story of the exile in France of two young Bosnian women and the return of one of them to Sarajevo. Driven by critical acclaim, the film premiered in theaters in 1998.

This was followed by “La Cage” (2002 – official competition at the Locarno Festival – Prix de La Critique Internationale et Prix Œcuménique), starring Caroline Ducey. It’s the story of a young woman released from prison with only one idea in mind: finding the father of the boy she killed. The film is both a contemporary western and a portrait of an uncompromising woman, earning immediate recognition.

“L’Été Indien” (2007), with Johan Leysen, Déborah François, and Guillaume Verdier, featuring Johanna Ter Steege and Brigitte Sy, tells the story of a man’s collapse undermined by the fear of failure and the impossibility of achieving a dream he believed was accessible. It’s a tale of loss, failure, but also unexpected reunions. “L’Été Indien” owes its romantic breath to the books of Russell Banks and the collaboration of Olivier Adam in the screenplay.

Since 2003, Alain Raoust has been teaching directing at a workshop at the University of Paris 8.