In the south of France, in the heart of the Camargue, an ancient and little-known tradition takes place. In the region’s arenas, young men dressed in white confront bulls in a dangerous and impressive face-off. Much more than a traditional sport, this fight without killing the bull offers many young people from North African immigrant backgrounds the chance to take their place in the arena and in French society. Among them are Jawad and Belka, two bullfighters at a crossroads. Following a major injury, Jawad questions his future in the sport. Belka, on the other hand, follows in his father’s footsteps. He sees his passion as an opportunity to escape an uncertain future and realize his dream of becoming a French champion.

The film immerses us into the intimacy of these characters, as they discreetly recount their reality as young French people of North African origin. Outside the arena, it’s a fight against racism they must wage.

-- Dir. Jérémie Battaglia - 84min - 2024 - Canada, France --

"Battaglia’s poignant film is more than a tribute to the talents of these extraordinary men: it also lays bare how integration is rarely a two-way process, with the burden of assimilation largely placed on the shoulders of the marginalised" - Guardian

"portrays a generation of immigrant sons who are too Arab to be French, yet too French to be Arab. A wonderful essay on transmission" - Cinemania

"Beautifully shot and featuring intimate access with a small cadre of characters, A French Youth offers an effective microcosm for battles playing out in arenas of all kinds worldwide" - POV Magazine

"two young North African men seek a new life through Camargue races, a traditional sport where you survive by literally trying to take a bull by the horns" - Hotdocs