Sahara (2017 film)

StudioCanal

Company type	Film distributor and production company
Industry	Film production and distribution
Headquarters	France
Products	Films, including Sahara (2017)

Sahara is a 2017 3D animated adventure film marking the directorial debut of Pierre Coré and distributed by StudioCanal. The movie premiered on January 18, 2017, and garnered mixed reactions, with commendations for its animation quality, humor, soundtrack, and choreography, yet it faced criticism regarding its storyline and pacing.

Plot

Within the desert environment, a group of creatures known as "Dusties" includes Ajar, a cobra, and his companion Pitt, a scorpion. They steal a watermelon, only to have it seized by Saladin, an elder cobra who mocks them. Desiring to shed their outsider label, Ajar dons the disguise of a green snake to infiltrate the Oasis—a prosperous refuge off-limits to Dusties. There, he encounters Eva, a green snake masquerading as a Dusty. After fleeing from predatory Secretary birds, they reveal their true forms to each other. Eva rescues Ajar from drowning, forging a friendship during which Ajar develops romantic feelings for her. However, Eva is soon captured by Omar, a snake charmer.

Ajar and Pitt set out to rescue Eva but fall into the hands of Chief-Chief, the head of the secretary birds guarding the Oasis. Taking Gary—Eva’s slow-witted brother—hostage allows them to escape captivity. Meanwhile, Eva meets other imprisoned snakes in Omar’s lair and is compelled to compete in a dance battle against Pietra; her victory secures her freedom but condemns Pietra to be skinned.

During their journey, Ajar, Gary, and Pitt encounter Glow-Worms who attempt to trap them but ultimately provide guidance toward Eva’s location. They briefly join a group of tourists but are separated after Pitt stings one of the birds. At an oasis, Ajar and Gary share their feelings of isolation before resuming their search.

Following Omar’s advertisements around town, Ajar locates Eva and other snakes confined in cages. Misunderstanding the situation and believing Eva has moved on with another snake causes Ajar to nearly abandon hope; however, he liberates them by dropping a ceiling fan onto their enclosure. Omar attempts to recapture them but breaks his flute during the pursuit. After a sandstorm chase atop a mosque, Omar vanishes while Ajar reunites with Eva and Gary.

Omar returns but is incapacitated by Pitt’s sting. The group—including Emily, an allied scorpion—escapes together using a tourist vehicle. The narrative concludes with a loquacious sandfish suggesting that Ajar and Eva might revisit the Oasis to foster peace between Dusties and Green Snakes.

Voice cast

The French and English voice casts feature:

• Omar Sy / Robert Naylor - Ajar
• Louane Emera / Angela Galuppo - Eva
• Franck Gastambide / Daniel Brochu - Pitt
• Vincent Lacoste / Mark Hauser - Gary
• Grand Corps Malade / Brady Moffatt - Omar
• Roschdy Zem / Mathew Mackay - Saladin
• Jonathan Lambert / Richard Dumont - Michael
• Marie-Claude Pietragalla / Nadia Verrucci - Pietra
• Mathilde Seigner / Sonja Ball - Rita, Lulu Belle
• Jean Dujardin / Andrew Shaver - George
• Michaël Youn / Rick Jones - Sandfish
• Clovis Cornillac / Rick Jones - Glow Worm King
• Reem Kherici - Alexandrie
• Arthur Holden - Sergeant
• Terrence Scammell - Chief Chief
• Matthew Stefiuk - Snake Eagle
• Elana Dunkelman - Emily, Lily Belle
• Ramzy Bedia - Chief Chief
• Sabrina Ouazani - Alexandra

Production

Providing the voice for Ajar presented a unique challenge for Omar Sy, as the adolescent snake character demanded a portrayal that balanced enthusiasm, vulnerability, and uncertainty.

Accolades

Sahara earned a nomination for "Best Animation Film" at the 2018 Les Cesar Academy and stood out as the leading French animated movie at the box office in 2017.