4L

Glimmering and stunning adventure/dramedy film concerning a group of friends taking on a dangerous journey . A letter from Tombuctu, Mali , revealing his old friend Joseba is very ill , moves to Tocho (Hovik Keuchkerian) -who works in Bilbao's docklands- to travel France for meeting his old friend Jean Pierre (Jean Reno) . Both of whom are jointed by the rebel and misguided Ely (Susana Abaitua) , Joseba's daughter , and all of them travel from Spain to Mali to meet Ely's dying father for the last time . As they set out in meeting their lifelong friend, estranged of their youth days , as long time ago they three traveled from Spain to Tombuctu to sell race cars . Nowadays , Joseba (Enrique San Francisco) who established himself in Mali, and there married an African woman , is very sick . All of them travel to Cadiz to cross in ship the Strait of Gibraltar, arriving Ceuta. From there , go passing the Sahara desert to arrive in Tombuctu to find the estranged father and friend Joseba . Along the way , they are detained at a custom control , deceived by Tuaregs , and , eventually , they are stunned by a young African stowaway named Mamadou (Juan Dos Santos) who was hidden into the car. This fun story focuses the trio of friends knowing a letter about a dying colleague , it forces them to make a radical change on their lives , as tired of their bored and routine existences and leaving their jobs , they carry out a risked voyage throughout a barren desert , fighting against the perilous natural environment , and lack of water . In this well worth seeing picture there is nostalgic friendship , humor , drama , action , thrills and riveting landscapes . Four protagonists are frankly fabulous , and another starring is a 1982's Renault 4 modified as race car from the first days of Paris-Dakar Rally. As the excellent actors give nice performances , such as : Hovik Keuchkerian as a rude and bad-manners Basque , Jean Reno as the sympathetic and kind French veteran , as well as the good-natured but rebellious and mistaken young daughter played by Susana Abaitua . Adding other fine secondaries as the lost African Juan Dos Santos , Arturo Valls as a Spaniard street drug dealer and Francesc Garrido an old illegal trader who has old unfinished business with Jean Pierre . All interpretations of actors are top-notch , but especial mention for the veteran Enrique San Francisco who is really extraordinary , delivering one of his final roles . Cinematography by cameraman Gonzaga Manson is awesome , like is well reflected on the spectacular and breathtaking scenarios . Sensational musical score with 13 beautiful songs sung by Pajaro Sunrise , including charming songs like "Shooting stars on the road to Timbuktu" and "See you soon" . The picture was competently directed by Gerardo Olivares who is an expert filming documentaries : Caravana , Marcos , el lobo , Dos Cataluñas, among others . In his life, Gerardo Olivares has been in more than 100 countries and filmed over than 80 documentaries, many of them in Africa . All this has been collected in his documentaries, sold all over the world for the most important television channels . Since 2006, Gerardo Olivares changes the documentaries for fiction movies and he will be known for La Gran Final (2006) , 14 Kilómetros (2007) , Entrelobos (2010), El Faro de las Orcas , Hermanos del viento and 4 Latas (2018) . The movie will appeal to lovers of the nature and dramedy enthusiasts and to Jean Reno fans . Rating : 7/10 . Notable , better than average . Good, worthwhile seeing.

I loved this movie from the beginning to end, everything is perfect, the photography, colors, shots, performance and of course, the story! What a master piece, the characters development is incredible, you get into the story without notice, a perfect example of a good story telling. About the characters I want to highlight Tocho's character, he can be annoying but he is the balance in all, he seems to hate the world and everything but guess what? He is human and a good one! I personally love the road trips if you also love it, then watch it, it can be slow in a few moments but it worth all!

This film it is a journey towards the goal of meeting a friend in Africa and they will meet difficulties that lead them to die but always find someone to help them in the desert. This film is more for family too watching

It starts with a heartbeat,waking up your senses..it finaly (and I mean that with all my heart) with a smile and a heartbeat concluding this sahara-desert trip of 3 different characters bonded by either love or even deeper emotions (a real thirst of uncommon life to come, maybe?). Well,let yourself feel the power of Africa,laugh and get emotional in between France Spain and Tombuctu 😉

As a movie it may not be much but by God it is beautifully shot. I am worried that some people might decide to take up the journey after watching the movie. Joseba, Jean-Pierre & Tochu are lifelong friends who used to drive down from Europe to the Saharan Desert in the70's & 80's to sell Renault cars for a profit. When Joseba, who now lives in Timbuktu, is diagnosed with a terminal illness the 2 remaining friends and Joseba's daughter decide to take up the journey one last time in a Renault. There are lots of things that are wrong with the movie. The acting is very questionable, especially the girl who plays the daughter. The plot is very basic. The dialogues are amateurish. What saves the movie is the brilliant cinematography. It's an out and out road movie that depicts the desert in all its splendor. They make the desert look so beautiful that you tend to forget the perils associated with it. This movie is basically a safe alternative to taking on the Saharan Desert without the actual risks involved. It's done so well that it will visually transport you to the Sahara. A definite watch if you are someone who likes to travel to exotic locations.

This movie deserves way more! I have loved the way this road trip has bin told, acted out and that all together with perfect fitting music. Thanks! 🙏

A great road movie set in Africa. Two old friends decide to set out to visit a companion they traveled with decades ago who is now apparently dying in Timbuktu. They pick up his his long estranged daughter and set forth. There is adventure and mis-adventure as they pick up an assortment of different characters on the road.

I like to read user reviews rather then believing the rating. But in this case, all you have to know is that this is a FEEL GOOD movie. Not a masterpiece, there is no "true story" effect, not a blockbaster, but when you finish it, you are happy. And for me, that's more then enough.

A very charming film with a multicultural cast, each adding his own talent to a sensitive and sometimes comic story. Light and well written, it takes us on a transaarinen journey, that offers a visually interesting glimpse of deep Africa (from Tangiers/Morocco to Timbuktu/Mali) on board of a french iconic car: the Renault 4L, best known in France as "catrelle". Also a self-discovery journey, as the relationship among the characters and with the challenges of the desert unfold.

Great netflix comedy movie a cool vintage cars Renault 4l the filmmakers had a great idea using this cars it,s a classic vintage cars in a lot of countries. legendary actors jean reno león the profesional a classic movie.It,s a great movie about friendship and adventure.The cinematography is amazing talended movie director