HARD SHELL, SOFT SHELL

HARD SHELL, SOFT SHELL / FRAGILE – France, 2021, 100 min., Comedy, Romance

Director: Emma Benestan

Writer: Emma Benestan and Nour Ben Salem

Cast: Yasin Houicha, Oulaya Amamra, Raphaël Quenard, Bilel Chegrani, Diong-Kéba Tacu, Tiphaine Daviot, Holy Fatma, Guillermo Guiz, Samira Sedira, Olivier Soula

Set against the stunning, sun kissed backdrop of the south of France, Hard Shell, Soft Shell (Fragile) is a fresh, slice-of-life romantic drama about young love, tested friendships…and oysters.

Cocky, loved-up oyster farmer Az thinks he’s made it. Sailing in life without any care, he meets his match when the love of his life fervently rejects his proposal, sending Az into an existential crisis and spiral of confusion.

Growing up on the coast of Montpelier, writer-director, Emma Benestan offers a personal portrait into the lives and loves of French youth, arching back to cinematic romances of yesteryear, all set to a pulsing soundtrack – complete with stunning dance routines – Hard Shell, Soft Shell will charm even the most hardened romantics to open their hearts to love.

Awards and nominations:

• Beirut International Women Film Festival 2022 – Nominee Golden Tanit of Beirut          Best International Feature Fiction Emma Benestan
• Off Camera International Festival of Independent Cinema 2022 – Nominee, Andrzej Wajda Cracow Film Award            Main Feature Film Competition “Making Way” – Best First or Second Film Emma Benestan (director)
• Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2022- Nominee, Best International Feature    Best film Emma Benestan