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French Film Festival · 2022

French Film Festival 2022

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Programme

5 films · 5 reviews

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Between Two Worlds (Ouistreham)

Review preview for Between Two Worlds

Binoche gives her all, stripping away any vestiges of actressy pretence to assimilate herself in the community while at the same time investing her performance with an authentic conviction.

Richard Mowe · 4 out of 5
Marianne Winckler, a well-known author, goes to live in northern France to research for her new book on the subject of job insecurity. Without revealing her true identity, she gets hired as a cleaner, working with a group of other women.

(Country: France; Year: 2021; Director: Emmanuel Carrère; Writer: Florence Aubenas, Emmanuel Carrère, Hélène Devynck; Stars: Juliette Binoche)

Full review See: Juliette Binoche on Between Two Worlds

Both Sides Of The Blade (Avec amour et acharnement, Fire)

Review preview for Both Sides Of The Blade

Although this film has no body count, it carries with it all the danger of an erotic thriller.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
Sara has been in a stable, loving relationship with Jean for years. But then a man from their past reappears and, without warning, an old passion reignites.

(Country: rance; Year: 2021; Director: Claire Denis; Writer: Christine Angot, Claire Denis; Stars: Juliette Binoche, Vincent Lindon, Grégoire Colin, Issa Perica, Bulle Ogier, Mati Diop, Hana)

Full review

Casablanca Beats (Haut Et Fort)

Review preview for Casablanca Beats

Although the heartfelt nature of the film is evident, it's a shame Ayouch became so wedded to its documentary element when its more stylised moments are where it finds its real energy.

Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
Young people from the Casablanca slum of Sidi Moumen participate in a cultural project that encourages them to express themselves through hip hop.

(Year: 2021; Director: Nabil Ayouch; Writer: Nabil Ayouch; Stars: Ismail Adouab, Nouhaila Arif, Samah Baricou)

Full review

Everything Went Fine (Tout S'est Bien Passé)

Review preview for Everything Went Fine

François Ozon makes what could have been an impossibly painful subject more palatable but nonetheless affecting.

Richard Mowe · 4 out of 5
A father asks for help to die.

(Country: France; Year: 2021; Director: François Ozon; Writer: François Ozon, based on the book by Emmanuèle Bernheim; Stars: Sophie Marceau, Charlotte Rampling, Hanna Schygulla, André Dussollier)

Full review

Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades)

Review preview for Paris, 13th District

Audiard captures the fluid nature of relationships for a younger generation navigating both on and offline opportunities and, because this is French, it also features plenty of gracefully worked sexual encounters.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
Émilie meets Camille who is attracted to Nora, who crosses paths with Amber. Three girls and a boy - They're friends, sometimes lovers and often both.

(Country: France; Year: 2021; Director: Jacques Audiard; Writer: Jacques Audiard, Léa Mysius, Céline Sciamma; Stars: Noémie Merlant, Stephen Manas, Geneviève Doang, Lumina Wang)

Full review See: Lucie Zhang on intimacy and acting techniques in Paris, 13th District , Love and sex in lockdown - Jacques Audiard on Paris 13th District