Marlin returns to Cannes this year with his second featureSalemwhich world premieres inUn Certain Regard.
Its an allegory, with dreamlike and fantasy qualities, says Marlin.
The film follows Comorian teenager Djibril who gets involved with a Romani girl living in a rival neighborhood.
Jean-Bernard MarlinThomas Lohnes/Getty Images
Scroll down for a first, subtitled clip.
The child enters into the interior world of her father.
Its a kind of transmission.
Oumar Moindjie and Wallen El Gharbaoui in Salem
Transmission is a keyword in the film, says Marlin.
I was searching for this ambiguity… between strangeness and the marvellous.
Salemopens with a montage of archive black-and-white photos of Marseilles underprivileged quarters dating back forty, fifty years.
The idea was to enter into the film a bit like a documentary.
Even if the film goes towards fantasy, I wanted it to be anchored in reality, says Marlin.
These images kind of set the scene for the film.
Marseille is a city of immigration.
Without connections, its impossible to shoot in either location, he says.
LikeSheherazade, the film features an amateur cast.
I didnt cast the roles immediately.
Its at once a collaborative work and pure artistic work.
Thats what I find interesting in the film.
Its neither one nor the other.
Pulling this hybrid approach off was one of the main challenges of the film, he says.
He says his connection and commitment with the cast members can continue long after the film has been shot.
The film is a co-production between French companies Unite and Vatos Locos with the support of France 2 Cinema.
Ad Vitam has acquired French rights and Goodfellas is handling international sales.
