Sacrifices are being requested by Mektub.
In the world of cinema, delays are not uncommon, but the six-year wait for Abdellatif Kechiche's film "Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo" was due to more than just production hiccups. The film, an adaptation of François Bégaudeau's novel and set in the Mediterranean town of Sète in the mid-1990s, premiered at the Locarno festival in 2025.
"Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo" tells the story of American producer Jack and his actress wife Jessica, who temporarily reside in Sète. The film's climax is a dramatic blend of adultery, jealousy, and a poolside shootout, all set against the backdrop of a town teeming with diverse cultures. The film features a multicultural cast, including North African immigrants, native French people, and immigrants from other backgrounds.
The film's production was marred by controversies surrounding explicit content and allegations of directorial manipulation. Kechiche's production company faced insolvency when Pathé dropped the distribution deal due to these issues. The film's lead actress made allegations regarding consent for an explicit sex scene, further complicating matters.
Kechiche's health also took a turn for the worse, with the director suffering a stroke in March that left him speechless and unable to attend the festival. Despite his absence, "Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo" screened, attracting mixed critical reactions. French critics generally praised the film, while some UK/US press offered more negative reviews.
Jessica Pennington, a debutante, played the frustrated American actress in the film and was praised for her performance. Shaïn Boumedine played Amin, a young screenwriter and photographer dreaming of a career in Paris.
The film's production was a mammoth task, with Kechiche's megaproject resulting in enough material for a thousand hours of screen time. This led to conflicts with producers and distributors, causing further delays.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Kechiche's reputation was damaged. He faced accusations of directorial manipulation and the "male gaze" from actresses including Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos. These allegations, along with the explicit content in the film, led to a lawsuit being filed against Kechiche, but it was dismissed for lack of evidence.
Despite the controversies, "Mektoub, My Love: Intermezzo" has found a place in film history. However, the trilogy will reportedly end with the third song, as there will be no fourth part or "Third Song". The film received an approval rating of 10 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics stating it is too enamoured with its own ass to give viewers any cause for concern.
Critics draw parallels between Kechiche's aesthetics and those of the New Wave classic Eric Rohmer and literature of the Enlightenment era. Despite the controversies, Kechiche's work continues to spark debate and discussion in the world of cinema.
"The film's unique blending of diverse cultures, adultery, jealousy, and violence makes it an intriguing addition to the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment."
"Critics have discussed Kechiche's cinematic style in terms of its resemblance to the New Wave classics and Enlightenment era literature, thus showcasing its value in the broader realm of entertainment."
