A mobile camera seeks and gropes for the nuances of racism and love in the port of Marseille and tells the intimate story of a young man confronted with his own, all too human failings. After a family drama for which he is himself responsible, Ismail receives a warm reception from his uncle’s family in Marseille. He is accompanied by his younger brother Mouloud. Ismail is told that he has to send his brother back to his parents in Tunisia, but Mouloud refuses categorically to obey. To avoid his imminent return, Mouloud runs away with the aid of his cousin Rhida, and becomes involved with a dangerous drug dealer. Ismail does not manage to find his brother. He works on his uncle’s building site, makes friends with the bosses son and falls in love with his girlfriend. But his obsession remains: he has to find the strength to save his younger brother… Bye-bye is characterised by its great directness and vitality, by convincing acting and a striking musical score. ‘Dridi’s great strength as a film-maker is in integrating the mood – smells, sounds, shadows – of a place into his compositions. The clarity of the Midi makes for a frank and complex exploration of people caught in the socio-political whirl of modern France.’ (Piers Handling, Toronto Catalogue).
