Jul. 01, 2020|France | Belgium | Luxembourg|93 Min.|n/A
Genre: Fantasy;Romance
Description: “Jumbo,” a 2020 drama film, marks the feature directorial debut of Zoé Wittock, who also wrote the screenplay. This international co-production, involving France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, features a cast including Noémie Merlant, Emmanuelle Bercot, Bastien Bouillon, and Sam Louwyck. The film premiered globally at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020. Initially set for a theatrical release in Belgium on March 18, 2020, the plan was shifted to a video-on-demand release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It later opened in France on July 1, 2020, distributed by Rezo Films.
“Jumbo” received recognition at the 11th Magritte Awards with two nominations, including Best First Feature Film. It also screened at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 26, 2020. The film garnered mixed reviews, holding a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 68 reviews, with an average score of 6.8/10. Critics noted that while the film might be more intriguing in concept than execution, it compensates with its originality. On Metacritic, it scored 54 out of 100, reflecting mixed or average feedback.
As of October 2021, “Jumbo” continues to be a unique cinematic experience, blending an unconventional love story with a distinctive narrative approach. Its originality remains a standout feature, even as opinions on its overall execution vary.
Cast director: Zoé Wittock
Cast actor: Noémie Merlant, Emmanuelle Bercot, Sam Louwyck, Bastien Bouillon, Tracy Dossou, Jonathan Bartholme, Eduard Nemcsenko, Noah Daccrissio, Idao Daccrissio, Stephen Rohde
Original name: Jumbo