Once in a Lifetime (original title: Les Héritiers) is a 2014 French drama film directed by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar.[3][4]
| Once in a Lifetime | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar |
| Written by | Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar Ahmed Dramé |
| Produced by | Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar Pierre Kubel |
| Starring | Ariane Ascaride Ahmed Dramé |
| Cinematography | Myriam Vinocour |
| Edited by | Benoît Quinon |
| Music by | Ludovico Einaudi |
Production company | Loma Nasha |
| Distributed by | UGC Distribution |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Budget | $3.7 million [1] |
| Box office | $3.4 million [2] |
Plot
Based on a true story, the film chronicles the relationship of a teacher with teenagers who have long since dropped out of the school system. This teacher of Leon Blum high school at Créteil (Val-de-Marne), decides to enter a national competition titled "Children and adolescents in the Nazi concentration camp system". Initially tumultuous and frustrating, the atmosphere quickly evolves as they meet with a survivor of the camps and increasing intensity during a visit to a museum dedicated to this period of history. This experience will change their lives.
Cast
- Ariane Ascaride as Anne Gueguen
- Ahmed Dramé as Malik
- Noémie Merlant as Mélanie
- Geneviève Mnich as Yvette
- Stéphane Bak as Max
- Wendy Nieto as Jamila
- Aïmen Derriachi as Saïd
- Mohamed Seddiki as Olivier
- Naomi Amarger as Julie
- Alicia Dadoun as Camélia
- Adrien Hurdubae as Théo
- Raky Sall as Koudjiji
- Amine Lansari as Rudy
- Koro Dramé as Léa
- Xavier Maly as the principal
Reception
Karen Schollemann called the film on kinocritics.com a "powerful tale about integration".[5]
Accolades
| Award / Film Festival | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| César Awards | Most Promising Actor | Ahmed Dramé | Nominated |
| St. Louis International Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | Won | |
| Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival CineMondays 2015 | Best Narrative | Won[6] |
