Turning Tide is a French drama film directed by Christophe Offenstein, released in 2013. The film stars François Cluzet as Yann Madec, a sailor who dreams of participating in the Vendée Globe, the most grueling and prestigious solo sailing race around the world. However, Yann's friend and mentor, Frank Drevil (played by Samy Seghir), is the star skipper of Global System Insurance and is expected to win the race.
But fate intervenes when Frank is injured just before the race start and Yann is given the opportunity to replace him. Nine days into the race, Yann is leading the pack when his boat hits a floating object in the middle of the ocean, damaging his centerboard. He is forced to stop in Cape Verde to make repairs, losing valuable time and positions in the race. While there, Yann discovers that a young Senegalese boy, Moussa (played by Reda Kateb), has stowed away on his boat.
Yann becomes conflicted over what to do, knowing that Moussa's presence could disqualify him from the race. Yann must balance his desire to win with his sense of responsibility for the young boy's safety. He decides to take Moussa along on the race, teaching him how to sail and caring for him like a father. Along the way, Yann and Moussa face many challenges and obstacles, but their bond grows stronger as they face them together.
The film explores themes of friendship, adventure, competition, and prejudice. It showcases the beauty and danger of the open ocean and the endurance and spirit required to complete such a grueling race. Turning Tide is a heartwarming and inspiring film that will captivate audiences with its thrilling racing scenes and emotional story.