One day Zano suggest a crazy idea to his companion Naïma: travel across France and Spain down to Algeria, where they might ultimately come to know the land their parents once had to flee.
We don't get much in the way of witty dialogue or character development, but the choice shots of clammy skin, tousled hair, odd scars and bad weather evoke an engaging story just the same.
– Adele Weder,
Globe and Mail,
15 Jul 2005
fresh:
Through facial expression, gesture and deed, Gatlif manages to coax such a deep humanity out of his characters' situations that dialogue becomes superfluous.
– John Terauds,
Toronto Star,
15 Jul 2005
fresh:
Overall, pic works well as a road movie, swinging and easy for the most part but gaining a certain gravitas in its later stretches.