

Karnaval
Synopsis
Karnaval is set against a backdrop of intolerance and hostility in the gloomy Northern French city of Dunkirk. The story is set during carnival time, when the citizens let themselves loose for six weeks of partying, carousing and having a good time. The film centers on Larbi, an Arab youth, and his confrontation with one of the turning points of his life. After a violent argument with his father, Larbi decides to leave the family's business and go to Marseilles for a fresh start. On his last night in the town he grew up in, he sleeps in the hallway of an apartment building, where he is disturbed by Béa and Christian, a couple having fun at the carnival. Larbi is attracted to Béa and decides to stay a few more days to try his luck. In the free atmosphere of the carnival, Larbi discovers a world that he did not know existed, a world which is about to clash with his conservative outlook, and the three lives are changed forever.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Thomas Vincent
- Screenplay & Story
- Thomas Vincent, Maxime Sassier
- Original Score
- Krishna Levy
- Original Title
- Karnaval
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- French
- Runtime
- 1h 28m
- Production Studios
- ADR Productions, Compagnie Méditerranéenne de Cinéma (CMC)
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Thomas Vincent
Thomas Vincent, Maxime Sassier
Krishna Levy
Colin Houben, Dominique Bouilleret, Olivier Gallois
Pauline Dairou
Pascal Verroust, Alain Rozanés
Department Leadership Roster
Thomas Vincent
Director
Thomas Vincent
Writer
Maxime Sassier
Writer
Pauline Dairou
Editor
Pascal Verroust
Producer
Colin Houben
Director of Photography
Dominique Bouilleret
Director of Photography
Alain Rozanés
Producer
Olivier Gallois
Director of Photography
Krishna Levy
Original Music Composer
Anne Fournier
Costume Design
Raphaelle Debattice
Costume Design
André Fonsny
Production Design
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Karnaval.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Karnaval.
list2
More Like Karnaval
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.












Frequently Asked Questions About Karnaval
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Karnaval about?
Karnaval is set against a backdrop of intolerance and hostility in the gloomy Northern French city of Dunkirk. The story is set during carnival time, when the citizens let themselves loose for six weeks of partying, carousing and having a good time. The film centers on Larbi, an Arab youth, and his confrontation with one of the turning points of his life. After a violent argument with his father, Larbi decides to leave the family's business and go to Marseilles for a fresh start. On his last night in the town he grew up in, he sleeps in the hallway of an apartment building, where he is disturbed by Béa and Christian, a couple having fun at the carnival. Larbi is attracted to Béa and decides to stay a few more days to try his luck. In the free atmosphere of the carnival, Larbi discovers a world that he did not know existed, a world which is about to clash with his conservative outlook, and the three lives are changed forever.
Who directed Karnaval?
Karnaval was directed by Thomas Vincent.
Who stars in Karnaval?
The principal cast of Karnaval includes Sylvie Testud, Amar ben Abdallah, Clovis Cornillac, Jean-Paul Rouve.
When was Karnaval released and how long is it?
Karnaval was released in 1999 with a total runtime of 1h 28m.
Who composed the musical score for Karnaval?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Karnaval was composed by Krishna Levy.
