Fahim

  • Archive - Festival 35
  • Director: Pierre-François Martin-Laval
  • France 2019
  • 107 minutes
  • French
  • Subtitles in Hebrew, English

Forced to flee his native Bangladesh, eight year-old chess prodigy Fahim arrives in Paris with his father. Refused asylum, as illegal immigrants they spiral downwards into homelessness and desperation. By a stroke of luck, Fahim is introduced to one of France’s top chess coaches, Sylvain, who tutors him and gives him a sense of purpose.

Fahim’s tale is not only a moving account of the grim realities that underlie a supposedly caring society, but also a heartwarming testimony to a father’s determination, the kindness of strangers, and one small boy’s courageous will to succeed.

Filmography: Gaston (2017), Try Me (2006).

For ages 12+


  • Director Pierre-François Martin-Laval
  • Production Patrick Godeau
  • Script Pierre-François Martin-Laval
  • Cinematography Régis Blondeau
  • Editing Reynald Bertrand
  • Music Pascal Lengagne
  • Actors Gérard Depardieu, Isabelle Nanty, Ahmed Assad
  • Source Red Cape Distribution