"Egyptian people, turn off your phones at the cinema!" 'The Astronaut' bows in Cairo to rapturous applause and cacophony of bells

The local Cairo Film Festival audience fell in love with Nicolas Giraud's "The Astronaut", applauded several times during its first world tour on Saturday, although the reviews were less enthusiastic. But that was not the only sound that accompanied the projection, frequently interrupted by a cacophony of ringtones.

"What we shared here today is this unique experience of watching a movie in a cinema, together, an experience that we must protect because it is in danger all over the world. But what I would like to tell you, people of Egypt...", launched the actor Hippolyte Girardot.

"…Turn off your phones at the cinema! Damn!" added Mathieu Kassovitz during a Q&A that followed, sparking hearty laughter in the room.

"The Astronaut"

The film – produced by Christophe Rossignon and Philip Boëffard (Nord-Ouest Films) with Orange Studio in charge from sales and Diaphana Distribution on board - is competing in the international competition in Cairo, with its festival director Amir Ramses describing it as a "truly poetic story".

"This is a man from another universe: just like "The Big Blue ". I had the same tears [in my eyes] when I watched that movie," he told viewers, referring to Luc Besson's 1988 take on the rivalry between two freediving champions. .

This time, however, Giraud is looking up, not down.

It focuses on aeronautical engineer Jim (played by the helmsman himself), who dreamed to become an astronaut all his life. Unable to move on, and despite the reluctance of his family, he has a rather surprising idea: he is going to build his own rocket.

"I don't know where this story came from. Maybe stars," said Giraud, visibly moved.

“If you want to achieve something, you have to stay true to your dream, whatever it is . Me? Before coming here, I was a dental technician, I worked in a cinema selling candy and tearing up tickets. Believe in yourself. This is the most important thing,” he told the audience.

"For me making that movie was what building that rocket was for Jim. It was exactly the same."

Giraud wrote the characters of Girardot and Kassovitz already thinking about the actors, he said . Stéphane Cabel is credited as co-screenwriter.

"This [evening] is magical for me, because it's the first time I've shared this film with them," said Giraud. Hélène Vincent, Bruno Lochet and Ayumi Roux are also in the game.

Kassovitz, cast as an experienced astronaut who helps Jim...