Alexander, a young actor, has been falling for a few months in a spiral of self-destruction, becoming strongly addicted to alcohol and drugs. One night, he is stabbed by drug dealers and almost dies. To get out of his addictions he wrote the scenario of a film "Spiral" close to autofiction where he would play the main role of Daniel. Olivier Rainer, a director whom he admires, agrees to direct the movie and make Alexander pass screen tests while rewriting the script by incorporating elements of the personal life of the actor. Alexander wishing to exorcise his demons and reach his catharsis will follow Olivier unconditionally in a blistering adventure where reality and fiction merge.
Acting
Mamdi playing himself playing himself — layers of raw, unguarded performance.
Direction
Blurred documentary-fiction lines that question who owns the story.
Writing
Script rewritten in real-time as life bleeds into scenes.
Director
Sofiene Mamdi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Fits the French tradition of autofiction cinema (Duras, Pialat) where director and subject collapse into one anxious body.
Mamdi's actual stabbing and recovery preceded filming; the scar you see is his, and Rainer's actor was cast partly for his uncanny resemblance to real director Olivier Assayas.
FR
