Unforgettable “Docu-Comedy” Celebrates Friendship Through Bicycling!

A Heartfelt Grand Prize

Since January 13, the Alpe d’Huez festival has been in full swing, with ten comedies soon to be judged by Elsa Zylberstein’s panel. While awards like the Grand Prize, Jury Prize, and Audience Award are on the line, special attention has shifted towards out-of-competition films following the screening of “À bicyclette.” The film, directed by Mathias Mlekuz, resonated deeply with the audience, evoking both laughter and tears, and quickly became a festival favorite.

“À bicyclette” is Mathias Mlekuz’s audacious project, undertaken a year after the tragic loss of his son, Youri. Mlekuz’s mission? To recreate the road trip his son embarked on shortly before his death, stopping at the same spots to breathe life into those memories and meeting the same people to revive his son’s spirit. From the Atlantic to Turkey, Mathias travels across Europe with his dog Lucky, his best friend Philippe (Rebbot), and the memory of his child.

A Friendship Beyond the Ordinary

More than two decades ago, during the filming of “Le Triporteur de Belleville,” Mathias Mlekuz and Philippe Rebbot first met—Mathias as an actor and Philippe as an assistant director. Their professional meeting soon turned personal, significantly impacting their lives. It was during this project that Philippe met Romane Bohringer, who would become his partner. “Romane was also on that set, and Mathias sort of became my seduction coach,” recalls Philippe. “I was already 40, but he gave me advice, we played around with it. He witnessed the birth of my love. After that, we wrote, filmed, and laughed together. He’s one of my oldest and most enduring friends.”

It was only natural for Mathias Mlekuz to invite his old friend to join him on this profound journey. The trip was not only a challenge—to cycle across parts of Europe—but also a way to honor the memory of his son Youri, who died shortly after his own adventure, and to contemplate the impact of his sudden loss: fears of mortality, aspirations to be good fathers, and feelings of possible guilt. These deep, personal topics were explored by the two friends under the glow of their flashlight in the intimacy of a shared tent.

Despite the introspective depth of their conversations and the palpable grief of the two men, “À bicyclette” remains a genuine testament to their friendship and resilience. Unscripted, the film takes on comedic elements through the natural charisma of its protagonists: impromptu exchanges worthy of cinematic dialogue, surreal and unforgettable scenarios, and tearful laughter between the two pals.

“There was never any talk of scripting with Philippe,” explains filmmaker Mathias Mlekuz. “We didn’t know exactly what we would discuss. The only thing I knew was that the idea of comedy in this film could exist simply through this narrative: two men and a dog crossing Europe on bicycles. One is a grieving father, the other his friend, and this friendship is tested by their journey.”

Winning the Audience Award, Best Director, and Best Music at the Angoulême Festival, “À bicyclette” captivated attendees at the Alpe d’Huez festival and is poised to touch many more when it releases in theaters on February 26.