the funny and tender adventure of the YouTube duo, cycling on the roads of France

The two accomplices with millions of followers embark on a bike ride on the roads of France. A journey in the form of a human adventure.

In real life, Golo and Ritchie, a duo of thirty-somethings living in the La Grande Borne district of Grigny (Essonne), are known for their viral videos, followed by more than two and a half million followers on Snapchat, Instagram and Tiktok. Martin Fougerol and Ahmed Hamidi filmed their bike trip across France. Golo & Ritchie is released in theaters on August 14. A documentary to watch like a comedy.

Ritchie is a bike enthusiast, Golo, a king of the chat. Ritchie, suffering from a mild autism spectrum disorder, has just been sent away from his reception center. “You’re not going to stay here in the neighborhood doing nothing,” Golo told him. And he challenges him “We’re going to do Marseille Grigny by bike”.

Ritchie, who has never left La Grande Borne, is not very keen on living this adventure far from home. His family, too, views this project with suspicion. But Golo’s tenacity, his unwavering confidence in the abilities of his childhood friend overcome all reluctance, and here they are launched on the roads of France aboard a magnificent red tandem. “We must shake up the doors, tease destiny”assures Golo.

A meeting with farmers, another with nuns, a visit to a class, the discovery of an ancient site, the ascent of Mont Ventoux, a horse riding session… In twelve days and nearly 800 kilometers, Ritchie and Golo live an exceptional adventure, with Golo’s constant attention and kindness to his friend Ritchie.

“You can lean on me”, he says, taking advantage of this escapade to give her some advice and life lessons, like in this hilarious scene where he teaches her how to flirt. We don’t get bored for a second with Ritchie, always surprising, never where we expect him, nor with a Golo, his sense of repartee and rhythm, who gives him the reply.

Educational film, Golo & Ritchie is a hymn to tolerance and the virtues of travel, a journey through France, its landscapes, an encounter with its inhabitants, which we discover through the new eyes of the two protagonists. It was a real dialogue, an exchange. We never felt any fear or mistrust even though we were two black people on bikes!” says Golo with humor.

Situation comedy, hilarious dialogues, the Golo/Ritchie alchemy works at full blast, evoking the greatest comedy duos in cinema. If the film was shot in a few weeks, with YouTube codes and modest means, the production, hyper-paced, is no less neat, with very beautiful well-composed shots, which carry high the energy of this adventure.

“I grew up in a very difficult environment, Grigny La Grande Borne. People think riots, drugs, fights, but it’s not just that.”

Golo

in the movie “Golo & Ritchie”

From laughter to tears, the adventure of Golo and Ritchie shows us with a smile, thanks to the simplicity of a friendship, how trust and respect for difference allow us to go beyond limits and break down preconceived ideas. A very successful transition from networks to the big screen.

Gender : Documentary/Comedy
Director: Martin Fougerol, Ahmed Hamidi
Actors: Golo, Ritchie
Country : France
Duration : 1h14
Exit : August 14 2024
Distributer : Apollo Films
Synopsis : Golo and Ritchie grew up in the same neighborhood, La Grande Borne in Grigny. Their friendship is unique: Ritchie has an autism spectrum disorder, but for Golo, it makes no difference. So when Ritchie is expelled from his educational center, Golo challenges him: to leave the daily life of the city to cross France by bike. A sensitive human adventure for these two extraordinary friends.