“The Scammers” is a comedy that hits the jackpot at AFFFF 2025

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A remake of Irish film Waking Ned Divine, The Scammers sees a tiny island in Brittany get involved in a scam: claiming the winning lotto ticket on behalf of someone who died with it in their hand. The film is part of the Alliance Française French Film 2025 (“AFFFF 2025”) program.

Initially, it’s just the plan between two of the island’s residents, Henri (Gérard Darmon, Employee of the Month, AF FFF 2022 and the fun series Family Business) and Jean-Jean (Didier Bourdon). Upon receiving a phone call at the bar/tobacconist informing him that someone in the village had won the mega lottery, and to not tell anyone, Jean-Jean rushes to his friend Henri to tell him. Together with Henri’s wife Nadège (Chantal Lauby, whose voice you may recognise from A Good Doctor, from AFFFF 2023), they hatch a scheme to try to flush out the winner. They soon discover that the winner, Bodvaël, is dead. Perfect, they think they will just claim that they are the owner of the winning ticket.

As often is the case, things don’t go to plan, and they have to find a plan B. Henri is the brains of the operation, with Jean-Jean being a bit simple. Costumes, fake accents, and a trip off the island ensure that comedy ensues.

Due to a comedy of errors, they’re forced to get the whole village on board and do so with the promise of splitting the winnings between them all to convince the lottery agent Madame Camoin (Noémie Chicheportiche, Simone: Woman of the Century) that Jean-Jean is Bodvaël. Grumpy resident Isodore (François Chattot, Vincent Must Die) threatens to bring the whole scheme undone, as he stands to win much more than his share if he dobs them in. Apart from Isodore, all of the residents of this tiny island dream of what they could do with the winnings. For Henri and Nadège, it’s always been about going to live in Italy.

It’s a delight to see Gérard Darmon and Didier Bourdon share the screen, perhaps for the first time. Jean-Jean’s silly gaffes, which at times could very well undo the plan, are flawlessly delivered. Henri’s cheekiness is present right from the opening scene of The Scammers. They are a joy to watch.

A special mention also to Martine Schambacher (Maria into Life, AFFFF 2023), who plays Laure-Anne, a particularly amusing neighbour who has eyes for Jean-Jean and makes several amusing, inappropriate comments to him. She made us cringe and laugh at the same time, which is exactly what her character is likely meant to do.

Under Hervé Mimran’s direction (he also directed A Man in a Hurry, from AFFFF 2019), the film is well paced, wrapping up in just under 90 minutes. That makes only two minutes difference between it and Waking Ned Divine, the film it’s a remake of.

The Scammers is an uplifting comedy about bringing a whole village together to scam the Lotto company, and about friendship, and dreams. If you’ve ever dreamt of winning the lotto, or enjoy French comedies, go see The Scammers at AFFFF 2025.

4 CROISSANTS

Matilda Marseillaise watched a screener of the film.

The Scammers was released in France under the title À l’ancienne in September 2024.

KEY INFO FOR THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FILM FESTIVAL 2025

WHAT: Alliance Française French Film Festival 2025

WHERE & WHEN:

19/03 – 23/04 – ADELAIDE
06/03 – 08/04 – BRISBANE
06/03 – 02/04 – BALLARAT, VIC
08/03 – 02/04 – BALLINA, NSW
11/03 – 13/03 – BENDIGO, VIC
07/03 – 02/04 – BYRON BAY, NSW
06/03 – 09/04 – CANBERRA
25/03 – 15/04 – GOLD COAST
03/04 – 13/04 – HOBART
05/03 – 09/04 – MELBOURNE
03/04 – 06/04 – MOUNT GAMBIER, SA
13/03 – 16/04 – PERTH
26/03 – 31/03 – RENMARK, SA
04/03 – 09/04 – SYDNEY
02/04 – 09/04 – VICTOR HARBOR, SA
04/03 – 06/04 – PARRAMATTA, NSW
10/04 – 13/04 – BUNBURY, WA
12/04 – 21/04 – WARRAWONG, NSW