Lights, camera, action!
The French Film Festival makes its welcome annual return. What is proclaimed as the largest French cinema event outside of France (okay, we haven’t checked that with Canada) is now touring in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
The French are among the world’s most prolific filmmakers, with France typically producing close to 350 feature-length films per year. Certainly, when living in Paris it’s an almost weekly occurrence to be diverted around streets blocked for film crews. My husband was once served at an épicerie alongside Gerard Depardieu!
Although I never crossed paths with the grand Catherine Deneuve, her home in Place Saint Sulpice was only a five-minute walk from our apartment in the 5th Arrondissement. A true legend of European cinema, with a career that now spans eight decades, la Deneuve is one of my favourite French actresses, along with Fanny Ardant, Marion Cotillard and Sophie Marceau.
On the same filmic note, last week I saw Maria, the story of the final days of opera legend Maria Callas. It is set in Paris in 1977 and stars Angelina Jolie. The film didn’t attract great reviews, but I loved it. Highly recommended.
My top picks for the 2025 French Film Festival
Saint-Ex – drama about the writer, philosopher and ill-fated pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The true story of the man who wrote Le Petit Prince. Starring Louis Garrel and Vincent Cassel.
Riviera Revenge – Comedy about a couple who have been married for five decades. All hell breaks loose when the husband discovers old love letters revealing his wife's affair of 40 years ago. Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera. Starring André Dussolier and Sabine Azéma.
Monsieur Aznavour – biography of Charles Aznavour, who tackled numerous hurdles on his way to becoming one of France's best loved entertainers. Starring Tahar Rahim.
This Life of Mine – a drama/comedy about the challenges of mid-life for women. Starring Agnès Jaoui.
Monsieur Aznavour – biography of Charles Aznavour, who tackled numerous hurdles on his way to becoming one of France's best loved entertainers. Starring Tahar Rahim.
This Life of Mine – a drama/comedy about the challenges of mid-life for women. Starring Agnès Jaoui.