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Festival coverage

French Film Festival

2022

The French Film Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with screenings across the UK. Guests will include Patrice Leconte and Eric Gravel.

Other years (19)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • The Kitchen Brigade
    Review preview for The Kitchen Brigade

    Warm-hearted and humorous without losing sight of the manifold injustices many migrants face.

    Jennie Kermode · 3 out of 5
    Explores the world of French gastronomy while also tackling issues of social justice and inclusion.
  • Goliath
    Review preview for Goliath

    A crisp, downbeat, clever exploration of the issues, combined with a whodunnit.

    Jane Fae · 4 out of 5
    In the aftermath of President Macron's U-turn on a glyphosate ban, the stories of lawyer Patrick, victim France and lobbyist Mathias intertwine when the wife of a farmer dead from cancer commits a terrible act of protest.
  • Simone: Woman Of The Century
    Review preview for Simone: Woman Of The Century

    This challengingly structured moving picture connects past with present not in linear form but in fragments of story that come in waves.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
    An intimate and epic portrait of an extraordinary woman who eminently challenged and transformed her era defending a humanist message still keenly relevant today.
  • The Blue Caftan
    Review preview for The Blue Caftan

    Covert glances and dauntless gestures between the three protagonists, that keep us guessing about who knows what, weave a web as diaphanous as the stitching on fine cloth.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
    Halim and Mina own a small family tailor shop that specializes in sewing ceremonial caftans. Since traditional hand-crafted work is time-consuming, Halim decides to hire an assistant, Youssef. The presence of the attractive young man arouses long-suppressed feelings in Halim, something that does not go unnoticed by his wife Mina.
  • Peter Von Kant
    Review preview for Peter Von Kant

    Martyrdom and bad wishing, casual cruelty and sweet despair reign in this realm.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 3.5 out of 5
    The life of famous film director Peter von Kant is turned upside down when he meets the handsome young Amir.
  • Tori And Lokita
    Review preview for Tori And Lokita

    While exploitation is expertly outlined, the directors are never exploitative themselves in the way it is depicted.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    In Belgium today, a young boy and an adolescent girl who have travelled alone from Africa pit their invincible friendship against the difficult conditions of their exile.
  • Close
    Review preview for Close

    Loose camerawork from Frank van den Eeden enhances the intimate, raw spirit.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Two best friends find their bond upset by schoolmates.
  • Black Box
    Review preview for Black Box

    Director Yann Gozlan has done a great job here of taking us right up to the line.

    Jane Fae · 4 out of 5
    Mathieu is a young and talented black box analyst on a mission to solve the reason behind the deadly crash of a brand new aircraft.
  • Incredible But True
    Review preview for Incredible But True

    What makes all this work is the very straightforward and matter-of-fact way in which Dupieux approaches the story.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    A mysterious tunnel in the cellar of a new home turns lives upside down.
  • Maigret
    Review preview for Maigret

    The star himself commands an uncharacteristic stillness, dialling down his famous charisma, surrendering himself to the material.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    In 1950s Paris, the body of a young woman is found dressed in an evening gown and holding no I.D. When nobody claims the body, Detective Jules Maigret is brought onto the case.

A–Z of French Film Festival 2022 reviews

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