Mariner of the Mountains
Accompanied by the memory of his late mother and his camera, director Karim Aïnouz embarks on an intimate journey to his father’s homeland of Algeria for the first time. A film diary exploring themes of family, love and revolution, both personal and political.
January 2019. Filmmaker Karim Aïnouz decides to take a boat, cross the Mediterranean and embark on his first journey to Algeria.
Accompanied by the memory of his mother, Iracema, and his camera, Aïnouz gives us a detailed account of the journey to his father’s homeland; from the sea crossing to his arrival in the Atlas Mountains in Kabylia – a mountainous region in northern Algeria – to his return. The film interweaves present, past and future.
“… a contemporary fabula, a myth after its origin, the delirium of a calenture…”
“Mariner of the Mountains” something of an intimate epic — a tale that feels at once personal and eternal.“ NY TIMES
Festivals and awards
Cannes Film Festival 2021: Official Selection Special Screenings
The International Film Festival of Amiens: Grand Prix Documentaire
Busan International Film Festival 2021: Documentary Showcase
Film Festival Hamburg 2021: Documentary Showing
IDFA 2021: Masters Selection
Vienna International Film Festival 2021: Features
Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival 2021
Gijón International Film Festival 2021: Nominated for Best Film
Athens International Film Festival 2021: Nominated for Best Documentary
Sydney Film Festival 2021
Sao Paulo International Film Festival 2021
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2021