Among the 39 classic and new films on show this year, here are four dynamic newcomers at this year’s festival.
The Alliance Française French Film Festival is returning for its 34th season this year. The largest celebration of French film outside of France arrives across Australia from March 7 – April 25.
Touring cinemas across the country from March 7, the festival reveals a bold lineup of 39 feature films showcasing haute French cinema. With so many films to view, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best new French talent the festival offers this year.
Here’s our shortlist of the best of the festival.
Winter Boy (Le Lycéen) (Australian premiere)
Be prepared to laugh and cry in what many film critics are saying is Christophe Honoré’s most personal film and emotionally and stylistically his richest.
The film follows 17-year-old Lucas (played by Paul Kircher in an excellent acting debut) living through some of life’s dullest and most difficult moments. However, the honesty with which this story is told leads the viewer to feel as if their life is unfolding on the screen.
We are taken back to those long never-ending days leading up to graduating from high school; experiences of love and lust as we enter adulthood; the confusion and anger that follows us after a traumatic event changes our lives forever.
With incredible performances by Paul Kircher, Vincent Lacoste, and Juliette Binoche, and with extended applause for Erwan Kepoa Fale’s terrific acting.
- San Sebastián Film Festival 2022 – Winner – Best Actor
- Toronto International Film Festival 2022 – Official Selection
Director: Christophe Honore
Tenor (Ténor) – Australian premiere
A chance meeting in the rehearsal room at the Opéra Garnier provides aspiring musician Antoine (Mohammed Belkhir, playing under his rap name MB14) with the opportunity to fulfil his dreams of becoming a rap artist.
The film takes the audience on a journey from deep within the surrounding banlieues of Paris into the prestigious Palais Garnier at the heart of the city.
The film’s stars, Mohammed Belkhir and Michèle Laroque, deliver a stunning performance on screen. The film is uplifting and humorous. The soundtrack finds a way to surprise and delight by navigating Tupac’s greatest hits with some of the world’s most famous classical operas.
Starring a moving cast including Michèle Laroque, Mohammed Belkhir, Guillaume Duhesme, Stephane Debac, and Maeva El Aroussi.
Director: Claude Zidi Junior
Sugar and Stars (À La Belle Étoile) – Australian premiere
Based on champion pastry chef Yazid Ichemrahem’s own autobiography and starring influencer Riadh Belaïche comes a story of struggle and triumph above all else.
For anyone who has ever aspired to be a chef, this film is for you. The challenges and hardships French chefs face to become the best are exquisitely portrayed in this sweet film by Sebastian Tulard.
The film follows Yazid (Riadh Belaïche) on his journey to becoming one of France’s Meilleurs Ouvriers. Only 200 chefs have been awarded this accolade since the 1920s.
This inspiring film is based on champion pastry chef Yazid Ichemrahem’s autobiography and his pursuit to realise his lifelong dream of becoming the best at what he does.
The secret ingredients that make this film so special are actors Riadh Belaiche, Dycosh, Pascal Légitimus, Christine Citti and Loubna Abidar.
- Comedy Festival De L’alpe D’huez 2023 – Official Competition
Director: Sebastian Tulard
Maria Into Life (Maria Rêve) – Australian premiere
A tender 20-minute short film that will leave you teary-eyed and happy, walking out of the cinema with a warm heart and a wish the film had lasted longer.
Karin Viard and Grégory Gadebois star in award-winning short filmmakers Lauriane Escaffre and Yvonnick Muller’s debut feature about a woman whose truly beautiful approach to life broadens everyone’s world around her.
Set in the stunning Parisian École des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts), Viard’s charming performance of Maria will leave you breathlessly delighted at how wonderful storytelling can take you so far in under half an hour.
- International Francophone Film Festival 2022 – Winner – Best Film (Audience Award)
- Cabourg Film Festival 2022- Winner – Best Film (Audience Prize)
Alliance Française French Film Festival 2023 dates and venues
- Sydney, NSW: 7th March to 5th April – Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton St, Chauvel Cinema, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne
- Melbourne, VIC: 8th March to 5th April – Palace Cinema Como, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Astor Theatre, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema
- Perth, WA: 8th March to 5th April – Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema, Palace Raine Square, Camelot Outdoor Cinema
- Canberra, ACT: 9th March to 5th April – Palace Electric Cinema
- Hobart, TAS: 9th to 19th March – State Cinema
- Brisbane, QLD: 15th March to 12th April – Palace James Street, Palace Barracks
- Byron Bay, NSW: 16th March to 5th April – Palace Byron Bay
- Adelaide, SA: 23rd March to 19th April – Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Port Pirie, Renmark, Whyalla, Mount Gambier: 24th March to 26th March – Northern Festival, Chaffey Theatre, Middleback Arts Centre, Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre
- Gold Coast, QLD: 29th March to 16th April – Dendy Southport
- Parramatta, NSW: 29th March to 2nd April – Riverside Theatre Parramatta
- Victor Harbour, SA: 3rd and 10th April – Victa Cinema
- Bendigo, VIC: 21st to 23rd April – Star Cinema
The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from Tuesday, March 7–Tuesday, April 25, 2023. For more information, or to buy tickets visit the AFFFF website.
This article was made in partnership with Alliance Française.
