The African Doctor
| The African Doctor | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Julien Rambaldi |
| Screenplay by | Julien Rambaldi Kamini Benoît Graffin |
| Produced by | Pauline Duhault Olivier Delbosc Marc Missonnier |
| Cinematography | Yannick Ressigeac |
| Edited by | Stéphane Pereira |
| Music by | Emmanuel Rambaldi |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Mars Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Box office | $4 million[1] |
The African Doctor (original title: Bienvenue à Marly-Gomont) is a 2016 French comedy-drama film directed by Julien Rambaldi. It stars Marc Zinga and Aïssa Maïga.[2][3]
Plot
Seyolo Zantoko has just completed his diploma at a French medical school; he was the only African male in his class and circle of friends. After completing his medical degree, he refuses employment in the Congo as the personal physician to to the president of Zaire/Congo, Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, as he wishes to avoid the corruption associated with his country. Instead he is hired by the mayor of a small village, Marly-Gomont in the north of France. He and his wife, Anne, and two children, Sivi and Kamini, are disappointed to find that they are living in a rural village, far from the excitement of Paris. His decision to live in France was mainly driven by the hope of a better education for his children, but he also hopes of applying for French nationality. Seyolo and his family struggled to adapt to this new life as the locals fear Seyolo and his family as they had no familiarity with African professionals. The children are bullied at school and Seyolo's clinic struggles with business as the locals drive to the next village whenever they need a doctor. The But Seyolo and his family eventually win the trust of the villagers, and his clinic becomes a success after he delivers the baby of a local farmer.
However, Seyolo is arrested by the French police days before his application for nationality is approved, and his clinic is forced to close. He is unable to work until his application for French nationality is approved. The only hope of Seyolo and his family remaining in Marly-Gomont is if the current mayor is re-elected. However, his opposition, Lavigne, is currently leading the polls and is determined to stop Seyolo from practicing in the village, preferring instead to hire a doctor of French origin. However, Sivi, is a talented footballer and has won the hearts of the community by allowing the local team to progress in the league. Seyolo and his children hatch a plan to show the villagers that Lavigne wins the election, then the family will have to leave Marly-Gomont. The villagers, upset by the prospect of losing their best football player, than usual turn out to vote, and the mayor is thus re-elected. The children of the local school perform a play which re-enacts the arrival, and eventual acceptance, of Seyolo and his family, and the family realise that they are loved by the community. Seyolo's clinic re-opens, and they remain in Marly-Gomont for the rest of their lives.
Cast
- Marc Zinga as Seyolo Zantoko
- Aïssa Maïga as Anne Zantoko
- Bayron Lebli as Kamini Zantoko
- Médina Diarra as Sivi Zantoko
- Rufus as Jean
- Jonathan Lambert as Lavigne
