Our penultimate interview from this year’s London Film Festival, DN speaks to veteran French Director Philippe Faucon about his story of economic separation and loneliness, Amin. Shot in Senegal and France, and featuring a predominately non-professional cast, Philippe discusses why working with non-actors is an integral part of his process and the power of cinema to enable audiences to connect with lives outside of their day to day experiences.

Amin came from Senegal nine years ago to work in France, leaving behind his wife Aïsha and their three children. His work is his life, his friends the men who live with him in the social home. Aïsha sees her husband only once or twice a year, for a week or two, sometimes a month. She accepts this situation as a necessity: the money that Amin sends to Senegal provides for several people. One day, Amin meets Gabrielle and a relationship starts between them. At first, Amin is reserved. There is the language barrier, his modesty. So far, separated from his wife, he has led a life devoted to duty and knew he had to remain vigilant.

Cinema can express things in a way no other art form can.

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