In an eagerly awaited announcement, we’ve been given an exciting glimpse of the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024 program. It will be its 35th edition and is set to grace screens across Australia from March 5 to April 21, 2024. As the largest showcase of French cinema outside of France, the festival promises a captivating blend of contemporary films that will both surprise and enchant audiences.
Opening Night Film: The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan (Les Trois Mousquetaires: D’Artagnan)
Kicking off the festival with flair is the Australian premiere of “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan“, a thrilling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel. Director Martin Bourboulon crafts a cinematic spectacle that boasts an all-star cast, including François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï, and Romain Duris. Set against the backdrop of 17th century France, this double blockbuster promises a mix of humour, romance, and pulse-pounding action.
The second part of the new The Three Musketeers films, The Three Musketeers: Milady will also screen at Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024.
Ladies’ Night Screenings: The President’s Wife (Bernadette)
French cinema legend Catherine Deneuve takes centre stage in “The President’s Wife“, a comedy based on actual events. Deneuve portrays Bernadette Chirac, offering a humorous and satirical take on the life of a first lady navigating the intricacies of political recognition. Director Léa Domenach skilfully blurs the lines between fact and fiction, presenting an unexpected feminist icon in this uproarious tale.
(Apologies we aren’t able to find a subtitled version of the trailer yet)
Taste of France Screenings: The Taste of Things (Le Pot au Feu)
From the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to Australian screens, “The Taste of Things” invites audiences into a sensual culinary world. Director Tran Anh Hung, known for “The Scent of Green Papaya“, captures the essence of Marcel Rouff’s classic novel, blending cooking with romance. Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel create a delectable duo, serving up a tribute to French cuisine and the passion required to make it truly extraordinary.
Other Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024 sneak peeks
The Animal Kingdom (Le règne animal)
Australian Premiere
Brace yourself for a wild and inventive genre mash-up in “The Animal Kingdom“. Lauded as one of the most talked-about films at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, this cinematic offering delves into family drama intertwined with Cronenbergian body horror.
Starring the dynamic Romain Duris and Paul Kircher, the film presents a poignant narrative set in a not-so-distant future teetering on the edge of chaos. As a new crisis unfolds, humanity grapples with grotesque animal mutations, weaving a touching coming-of-age tale amid the ever-changing natural world.
All Your Faces (Je verrai toujours vos visages)
“All Your Faces” explores the profound themes of anger, hurt, and despair within the backdrop of France’s Restorative Justice program. Featuring a powerhouse cast, including Adèle Exarchopoulos and Gilles Lellouche, the film immerses audiences in the complexities of this real-life program introduced in 2014.
Offering a unique platform for victims and offenders to engage in dialogue, the narrative weaves together two stories where emotions transform from resentment to forgiveness, despair to strength. Intelligent and emotional, this film took the French box office by storm, securing over 1.1 million admissions.
Jeanne Du Barry
Transport yourself to 18th-century France with “Jeanne Du Barry” a lavish historical drama straight from the opening of Cannes 2023. Directed by the phenomenal Maïwenn, the film is freely inspired by the life of the titular rags-to-riches social climber, portrayed by Maïwenn herself. She was the the mistress of King Louis XV, who is portrayed by Johnny Depp in the film.
The narrative unfolds in the sumptuous backdrop of Versailles, featuring majestic costumes and production design. “Jeanne Du Barry” delivers an exuberant and sensitive portrait of class, ambition, and the challenges of living in the public eye, offering a visual feast for cinephiles.
Iris and the Men (Iris et les hommes)
Following the international success of “Antoinette in the Cévennes“, writer/director Caroline Vignal and Laure Calamy reunite for a comedic exploration of reignited desire in the modern age. “Iris and the Men” introduces Iris, played by Laure Calamy, a woman on the brink of turning 50, grappling with the challenges of a seemingly perfect life.
The film humorously navigates the complexities of relationships as Iris ventures into the world of dating, sparking laughter and self-discovery. In a delightful twist, the narrative unfolds as men start to appear in Iris’s life, creating a humorous and relatable journey for audiences.
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These first 8 films showcase the festival’s commitment to offering a diverse cinematic experience, blending genres and narratives that promise to captivate and resonate with audiences of all tastes. Get ready for a cinematic journey that transcends boundaries and explores the richness of storytelling in French cinema.
KEY INFO FOR ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2024
WHAT: The 35th edition of the Alliance Française French Film Festival, the largest festival of French films outside of France!
WHERE & WHEN:
Adelaide: 21 March – 16 April
Venues: Palace Nova Eastend, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Brisbane: 5 March – 2 April
Venues: Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Byron Bay: 7 March – 27 March
Venue: Palace Byron Bay
Canberra: 7 March – 2 April
Venue: Palace Electric Cinema
Melbourne: 6 March – 2 April
Venues: Palace Cinema Como, Kino Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, The Astor Theatre, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Penny Lane
Perth: 6 March – 2 April
Venues: : Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema, Palace Raine Square
Sydney: 5 March – 9 April
Venues: Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton Street, The Chauvel Cinema, Roseville Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne
As the festival’s Exhibition Partner, Palace Cinemas will once again host the screenings, fostering a three-decade-long relationship that highlights the enduring love for French cinema in Australia.
Stay Tuned for the Full Line-up on 7 February 2024!
With the full festival line-up set to be announced and tickets available from February 7 2024, we encourage you to stay tuned for the latest updates on the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024 official website.
Which of these films are you planning to see at Alliance Française French Film Festival 2024?
Want to see French films from this year’s festival? Read our content related to films currently in cinemas:
MB14 talks to us about the film Tenor, opera and rap
Tenor sees Parisian banlieue rap and Bourgeois opera collide
Paris Memories traces the difficulties of being a survivor of the Paris terrorist attacks
The Tasting is a film with depth and elegance
The Origin of Evil is a must-see film this AFFFF
The Crime is Mine is unmissable witty, theatrical fun in cinemas this Thursday
And Two tickets to Greece will be released on Boxing Day 2023.
