French Film Festival 2024
Friday 24 May, Saturday 25 May & Sunday 26 May.
Opening Night: Friday 24 May - Jeanne du Barry
The lavish new historical drama from writer/director Maïwenn, JEANNE DU BARRY is freely inspired by the life of the titular rags-to-riches social climber, a working-class woman who became the mistress of King Louis XV, played with taciturn command by Johnny Depp in his first French-language speaking role. 18th Century, pre-Revolution France. Jeanne Bécu (Maïwenn), the illegitimate daughter of a monk, hungers for culture and pleasure, and is determined to escape her commoner upbringing. With charm and sharp wit, she builds a reputation as a skilled courtesan and her benefactor, the Comte du Barry grows rich through her amorous encounters. Wishing to present her to the widowed King (Depp), a renowned womaniser, the Comte orchestrates a meeting through the influential Duke of Richelieu.
For Jeanne and Louis, it’s intoxication at first sight; soon the King, rediscovering his appetite for life, anoints her as his new favourite. Unapologetically ignoring propriety and etiquette, with the help of his valet La Borde, Louis moves her into his Versailles palace, sparking both derision and scandal... and jeopardising relations with the newly-arrived Marie Antoinette, the Austrian queen-in-waiting... Finding mordant delight in the intrigues and rituals of high court life, JEANNE DU BARRY is a visual feast.
French with English Subtitles
Friday 24 May - 6.30pm for 7.00pm
All Tickets: $35.00, Catered by Franquette Creperie, on sale now
(M) 1 hours 57 mins
Directed by: Maïwenn
Starring: Johnny Depp, Benjamin Lavernhe, Maïwenn
Saturday 25 May: A Great Friend (Les choses simples)
Vincent is a famous successful entrepreneur. One day, a car breakdown on a mountain road temporarily interrupts his frantic lifestyle. Pierre, who lives apart from the modern world in the middle of sublime nature, comes to his aid and offers him his hospitality.
French with English Subtitles
Saturday 25 May at 2.00pm
Adults: $15.50, Concessions: $13.50 on sale now
(PG) 1 hour 35 mins
Directed by: Éric Besnard
Starring: Lambert Wilson, Grégory Gadebois, Marie Gillain
Saturday 25 May: The Taste of Things (La passion de Dodin Bouffant)
"The Taste of Things is not just a sensual experience for the characters, but for the viewer as well. And it goes beyond the food." Max Weiss
"A movie that gives you back something you didn’t realize you’d lost, one that might even make you forget what year you’re living in. Its pleasures run quiet and deep." Stephanie Zacharek
Eugenie, an esteemed cook, has been working for over the last 20 years for Dodin, a fine gourmet. Growing fonder of one another, their bond turns into a romance and gives rise to delicious dishes that impress even the world’s most illustrious chefs.
When Dodin is faced with Eugenie’s reluctance to commit to him, he decides to start cooking for her.
French with English Subtitles
Saturday 25 May at 4.00pm
Adults: $15.50, Concessions: $13.50 on sale now
(PG) 2 hours 25 mins
Directed by: Tran Anh Hung
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magime
Sunday 26 May: A Difficult Year (Une année difficile)
"...incredibly promising and stylish..." David Nusair
The wildly entertaining new comedy from irrepressible filmmaking duo Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache ('The Intouchables', 'C'est la vie!'), A DIFFICULT YEAR stars Pio Marmaï and Jonathan Cohen as two compulsive spenders who get much more than they bargained for when they try and scam their way out of trouble. Both in debt up to their necks, Albert (Marmai) and Bruno (Cohen) have turned to a community worker (Mathieu Amalric) to try and help get a grip on their lives. However at one of their group sessions, they stumble into an adjoining meeting room hosting a gathering of young social activists, led by a vivacious organiser (the fabulous Noémie Merlant). Attracted more by the free beer and chips than the group's struggle against consumerism and protection of the environment (whilst acknowledging the hugs are quite nice), Albert and Bruno join the movement without any particular conviction, but soon sense an opportunity... if they don't get arrested first.
Expertly poking fun at their characters while simultaneously honouring them, A DIFFICULT YEAR delivers both laughs and pathos in spades, thanks to the directors' ongoing faith in humanity's desire to change. With of-the-moment resonances to Australia’s social and ‘cozzie livs’ concerns, it's a must-see entertainment.
French with English Subtitles
Sunday 26 May at 2.00pm
Adults: $15.50, Concessions: $13.50 on sale now
(M) 2 Hours
Directed by: Olivier Nakache, Éric Toledano
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Pio Marmaï, Alban Ivanov, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet, Noémie Merlant, Luàna Bajrami, Marie Papillon
Sunday 26 May: Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe (Bonnard, Pierre et Marthe)
"A fine story expertly told is always a real treat and that, like love, must never be taken for granted." Sarah Manvel
Vincent Macaigne and Cecile de France enrapture in BONNARD, PIERRE & MARTHE, the beautiful and transporting new historical drama from multi award-winning director Martin Provost ('Séraphine', 'The Midwife') about the turbulent love story between the famous post-Impressionist painter and his lesser-known - but highly influential - wife. 1893. When aspiring French painter Pierre Bonnard (Macaigne) - a protégé of Claude Monet - meets Marthe de Méligny (de France), he has no idea that this self-proclaimed aristocrat will become the cornerstone of his life and work. From this moment, though she appears in over a third of his work, she's more than just a muse; together over five decades, the couple will explore creative fulfillment, love and jealousies that challenge the standards of the time, as the film interrogates the great mystery around their relationship.
Provost’s vision for this material is clear and concise; what may appear as a traditional account of its subjects soon moves beyond conventions and evolves into something much more resonant and profound.
French with English Subtitles
Sunday 26 May at 4.30pm
Adults: $15.50, Concessions: $13.50 on sale now
(MA15+) 2 hours 3 mins
Directed by: Martin Provost
Starring: Stacy Martin, Cécile De France, Vincent Macaigne, David Nusair
