Lokarri

Lokarri, which means in the tongue of the Basque peoples "the bond," is a story about what ties people to the land of their birth. Imanol is a 20-year-old jai alai player who is sick of the provincial town in which he has grown up, somewhere in France's Basque country. While he dreams of winning a lucrative contract with a professional jai alai team in the United States, he parties around town slowly wrecking his health and his reputation as a reliable player. When Imanol's life seems at its darkest moment, he meets two people who will change his outlook on the world. One of these is Ximista, a legendary jai alai player who went to play in the United States only to return a broken man. The other is Viviane, a Parisian sociology student who falls in love with Imanol and helps him to see the importance of his Basque heritage.

Directed by Jean-Pierre Grasset, Lokarri leans on a strong ensemble — Stéphane Rideau, Nicolas Abraham, Éléonore Bernheim — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about romance titles of 2003.