Neneh Superstar
| Company type | Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production and distribution |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Films |
Neneh Superstar is a 2022 French comedy-drama crafted and directed by Ramzi Ben Sliman, starring Oumy Bruni Garrel alongside Maïwenn. The film made its debut in the main competition at the Festival du Film de Demain on 3 June 2022 and later premiered in French cinemas through Gaumont on 25 January 2023. Produced with a budget of €5.4 million, it earned $424,548 at the box office.
Plot
Twelve-year-old Neneh, a black girl, dreams of joining the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. Despite her dedication, she faces significant challenges and must work even harder to win the approval of the school's director, Marianne Belage.
Cast
- Oumy Bruni Garrel as Neneh
- Maïwenn as Marianne Bel-Hadj
- Aïssa Maïga as Martine
- Steve Tientcheu as Fred
- Cédric Kahn as Jean-Claude Kahane
- Alexandre Steiger as Alexandre Boucher
- Richard Sammel as Victor Max
- Nathalie Richard as Jeanne-Marie Meursault
- Marilyne Canto as Emmanuelle Braque
- Illonna Grimaudo as Ilonna
- Gloria-Divine Sazi as Gloria
- Julia Albos as Julia
- Marie Baconnet as Mme Henri
- Lionel Laget as Gardien de la paix
Production
The production of Neneh Superstar was a collaboration between Gaumont and France 2 Cinéma, supported by pre-purchase agreements from Canal+ and Ciné+ during its post-production phase. Gaumont handled both domestic distribution and international sales rights.
Director Ramzi Ben Sliman found inspiration in documentaries centered on students at the Paris Opera Ballet. He tailored the character of headmistress Marianne Belage specifically for Maïwenn, emphasizing her distinctive suitability for the role. Choreography was overseen by Mehdi Kerkouche.
The casting process for Neneh involved an extensive search across mainland France, its overseas regions, and Francophone African nations, targeting young talents skilled in both acting and dance. Ultimately, Oumy Bruni Garrel was chosen following recommendations from Parisian dance academies. Her own encounters with racial obstacles in classical ballet enriched her interpretation of Neneh. Interestingly, Garrel resides merely 200 meters from the director’s home, underscoring a fortuitous casting coincidence. She has openly recognized similarities between her personal story and that of her character.
Filming
Unable to film at Nanterre—the actual location of the Paris Opera Ballet School—Sliman’s crew selected the École Centrale in Saclay for shooting, due to its comparable visual appeal. The director described this substitution as creating an “almost optical illusion” for viewers acquainted with Nanterre. Principal photography occurred between 7 June and 4 August 2021.
Marketing
The initial official poster debuted on 10 November 2022. Gaumont unveiled the first official trailer on 23 November 2022, followed by an English-subtitled version released by Unifrance on 21 March 2023.
Release
Neneh Superstar had its competitive premiere at the Festival du Film de Demain in Vierzon, France, on 3 June 2022. It also enjoyed a sold-out screening during the London Film Festival on 8 October 2022. The film’s theatrical release in France was managed by Gaumont on 25 January 2023. Additionally, it was showcased at the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema event at Lincoln Center in New York City on 7 March 2023.
Soundtrack
The movie's musical score, created by Jean-Bohémond Leguay, became available on 20 January 2023.
Reception
On the French cinema platform AlloCiné, the film received an average rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on evaluations from 13 French critics.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Festival du Film de Demain | Best Feature Film | Ramzi Ben Sliman | Template:Nom |
| Mon Premier Festival | Jury Prize - Best Film | Template:Won |