The Site (film)
| The Site | |
|---|---|
| French | Grand Ciel |
| Directed by | Akihiro Hata |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Chizallet |
| Edited by | Suzana Pedro |
| Music by | Carla Pallone |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | French |
The Site (French: Grand Ciel) is a 2025 thriller film co-written and directed by Akihiro Hata, in his feature film debut.
A co-production between France and Luxemburg, the film had its world premiere at the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
Plot
Cast
- Damien Bonnard as Vincent
- Samir Guesmi as Saïd
- Mouna Soualem as Nour
- Tudor Aaron Istodor as Mihai
- Ahmed Abdel Laoui as Ahmed
- Issaka Sawadogo as Ousmane
- Sophie Mousel as Delphine
- Denis Eyriey as Marc
- Mounir Margoum as Farid
Production
Akihiro Hata first presented a rough version of the script during a workshop at the 2020 Ateliers d’Angers Festival.[1] A more developed version of the screenplay was later presented at the 2023 Ateliers d’Angers, where it won the Audience Grand Prix.[1]
The film was produced by Good Fortune Films and Les Films Fauves.[2][3] It was mostly shot at Filmland studios in Kehlen, Luxemburg.[4]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival, in the Orizzonti sidebar.[2] After being screened at the Arras Film Festival,[5] it was released in French cinemas on 21 January 2026.[6]
Reception
Cineuropa's film critic Veronica Orciari referred to The Site as "a film that does its best to run, but instead tends to limp along here and there. All of the component parts are above-par in terms of their quality, but at times, the movie's technical precision seems to outweigh its emotional depth, creating a small, yet noticeable, discrepancy".[2] Marc van de Klashorst from International Cinephile Society complained about the film's final, but noted that the film " has a lot to offer before that fateful final chapter" and wrote "despite Hata tripping up on the denouement, this is a promising first feature that could have used a bit more ambiguity, but shows a talent at the helm".[7] Michaël Mélinard from L'Humanité described it as "a striking blend of Human Resources (1999) by Laurent Cantet and Alien (1979) by Ridley Scott, combining social realism and the fantastic, intimacy and class struggle, in a film with a breathtaking soundscape".[8]
References
- ^ a b Beauvallet, Laurent (19 January 2026). "Quel point commun entre Kirikou et la sorcière, Chien de la casse et le festival Premiers plans, à Angers ?". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Orciari, Veronica (5 September 2025). "Review: The Site". Cineuropa. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ staff (22 August 2025). "Venice 2025 preview: Screen's guide to the Horizons titles". Screen International. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ "Three Luxembourg Co-Productions Selected for Venice International Film Festival 2025". The Luxembourg Chronicle. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ "Arras Film Festival : Le festival démarre sur les chapeaux de roues". L'Observateur (in French). 14 November 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ Chèze, Thierry. "Grand ciel". Première (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ van de Klashorst, Marc (5 September 2025). "Venice 2025 review: Grand Ciel (Akihiro Hata)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ Mélinard, Michaël (20 January 2026). "« Le poison du travail contamine tout le reste » : entretien avec Akihiro Hata, réalisateur de « Grand ciel », un drame social et fantastique - L'Humanité". L'Humanité (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2026.